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Tyler Zeller injury: Cavs center set to return for Mavericks game

Cleveland Cavaliers' rookie Tyler Zeller is set to return on Saturday when the Cavs host the Dallas Mavericks.

Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE

Cleveland Cavaliers' rookie Tyler Zeller will make his return on Saturday when the Cavs host the Dallas Mavericks. Zeller suffered a fractured left cheekbone and a concussion when he caught an inadvertent elbow from DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 5.

The Cavs have lost four straight games since Zeller left the lineup and hope his return will help improve the struggling bench. Over the first four games of the season before getting injured, Zeller, the 17th pick of the 2012 draft, averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game. Prior to getting injured, Zeller was having his best game against the Clippers, scoring 15 points and grabbing seven rebounds.

Zeller will be wearing a mask to protect his fractured cheekbone when he makes his return, but he is not worried about it altering his game as he had to wear one in college after breaking his nose.

Meanwhile, Luke Harangody will be out for six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

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