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Streaking Cavs hope to have James back

Mar 14, 2007 - 1:38 PM Cleveland (39-25) at Memphis (16-49) 8:00 pm EDT

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The Cleveland Cavaliers hope All-Star forward LeBron James is able to return to the lineup when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

James missed Tuesday's game against Sacramento due to back spasms, but the Cavaliers were able to roll to a 124-100 victory. He is listed as questionable for Wednesday.

The reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, James is averaging 33.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists, while shooting 53 percent from the floor in his last 11 contests. He has reached 26 points in each of those games and is the league's top scorer since February 15.

Cleveland has shown the ability to play without James. The Cavs are 9-2 without James, including 3-0 this season.

Sasha Pavlovic and Larry Hughes combined for 50 points on 17-of-34 shooting from the field and 6-of-11 from the arc in the win over Sacramento. Ira Newble started in James' place, scoring 12 points and nailing all three of his 3-pointers.

Riding a season-high six-game winning streak, Cleveland is just two games behind first-place Detroit in the Central Division and the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Memphis tied a season high with its sixth straight loss - a 113-102 defeat to New Jersey on Monday. Pau Gasol scored 19 points and Chucky Atkins and rookie Rudy Gay had 17 each.

The Grizzlies are 10-25 since coach Tony Barone replaced Mike Fratello and is the league's only team without back-to-back wins this season.