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James, Cavaliers look to get back on track vs. Clippers

Feb 7, 2007 - 6:28 PM La Clippers (24-24) at Cleveland (27-21) 7:00 pm EST

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Even with LeBron James ailing, the Cleveland Cavaliers need to capitalize on their current four-game homestand.

The Cavaliers look to bounce back from a listless loss Wednesday when they host the Los Angeles Clippers.

A lack of offensive production and James' sore big toe have conspired to limit Cleveland to just four wins in its last 12 games.

James scored 21 points in Sunday's 90-78 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

But the All-Star swingman managed just 15 until the final three minutes of the contest and shot 9-of-22 from the floor. He has averaged 18.6 points in his last three games, eight below his season average.

With the Cavs winding up the homestand against defending league champion Miami on Friday and the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday before hitting the road for two games in two nights at Utah and the Lakers, they need to generate some wins.

Fortunately for Cleveland, it seems to be catching the Clippers at the right time - in the fourth of a seven-game road trip.

Los Angeles had won seven of eight until suffering back-to-back defeats to Toronto on Sunday and New York on Tuesday, a game in which the Clippers led by 10 points at halftime. Elton Brand had 22 points and 13 rebounds in Tuesday's 102-90 loss.

The Cavaliers have won four straight and 10 of the last 12 home games against the Clippers. A big part of that success has been center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who is averaging 20.1 points and 9.7 rebounds in the last seven meetings.

Cleveland is 6-1 at home this season against Western Conference opponents, but it has lost four of its last six overall at Quicken Loans Arena.