Lakers vs. Cavs: Game time, TV schedule, and preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost five straight games and sit at 4-17 on the season, but they will be getting a huge boost on Tuesday when Kyrie Irving returns to action to face the Los Angeles Lakers.

Irving has been out since Nov. 18 with a fractured left index finger. In that time, Cleveland went just 2-9, although they did grab impressive wins over the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks.

While Irving will be back in the lineup, rookie shooting guard Dion Waiters remains sidelined with an injured right ankle. Waiters has been out a week with the injury.

The return of Irving surely cannot please the Lakers, who have endured some serious struggles of their own this season. Los Angeles has lost four of their last five games, with the defense being the prime reason for the losses. In those four defeats, the Lakers gave up at least 107 points.

For the year, Los Angeles sits at just 9-12, a far cry from where most people predicted the team to be at this point. Injuries to Steve Nash and Pau Gasol have not helped matters, and those two are expected back this week. However, they likely will not play against Cleveland.

Game Time: 7 p.m. ET at Quicken Loans Arena

TV: Fox Sports Ohio