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The Wait is Over; Dion Returns to the Cavs Tonight

rookie shooting guard is cleared to start, Cavs look to start winning

Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters
Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters
US PRESSWIRE

Exactly one week ago, the Cavaliers confidence received an ally oop when Kyrie Irving returned to the team, face mask or not. Tonight, the Cavaliers get some more good news as this years fourth overall pick Dion Waters returns from a sore ankle.rookie shooting guard is cleared to start, Cavs look to start winning Now, for the first time in 20 games, the Cavaliers are at full strength, ready to take on the Toronto Raptors.

"I though about bringing him off the bench because CJ has played so well lately," said coach Byron Scott. "But I also considered that Kyrie missed 11 games, had to practice, put him back in the starting lineup, Dion missed eight games and had a good practice yesterday, so put him back in the starting lineup. That is my mentality. You can not loose your starting job due to an injury."

In addition to a returning starter, the Cavaliers will also have a full compliment of reserves, and they will be active tonight. Coach Scott has an idea of what he wants to do, but "it is more of a feel thing." Irving and Waiters will both be on the floor this evening starting for the Cavaliers. They will be joined by Alonzo Gee, Tristan Thompson, and Anderson Varajao, each of whom will be looking to build chemistry with the previously injured guards.

That means that guard CJ Miles is headed to the bench, but Coach Scott said he would be the "first one" off the bench. Miles has averaged over 20 points per game in Waiter's absence in the starting lineup.

Toronto can not say the same about being at full strength; they are far from it. They will be without their second and third leading scorers, Andrea Bargnani and point guard Kyle Lowry. Their top offensive weapon, Demar DeRozan, is not in the starting lineup, but may see minutes off of the bench. Toronto will look to steal a game from Cleveland and the three masked men Irving, Tyler Zeller, and Tristian Thompson.

Photographs by spatulated, Triple Tri, and chrischappelear used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.