ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Delonte West, Shooting guard Sasha Pavlovic, Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Power forward Joe Smith, Small forward LeBron James. Bench -- Guard Damon Jones, Guard-Forward Wally Szczerbiak, Guard-Forward Devin Brown.
PLAYER NOTES: --F/C Ben Wallace, sidelined with back spasms, didn't even make the trip. "I'm real concerned," coach Mike Brown said. "He had an MRI (on Friday). Everything checked out." Brown said he doesn't know if Wallace will play Wednesday. It might make sense to sit him out against New Orleans. "There's a chance (Wallace and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas) won't have much contact (in practice) the rest of the year," Brown said.
--Former Cavs G/F Ira Newble, who signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers on Friday, opened some eyes when he told the Lakers media that Kobe Bryant was better than LeBron James. "Kobe's better, and if you ask LeBron, he'll tell you Kobe's better," Newble said. Apparently, the Cavs had some interest in re-signing Newble, but he opted for the Lakers instead. He probably wouldn't play much for the Cavs, but he would have been a nice insurance policy.
--In 10 games during March, F LeBron James has averaged 34.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. He has scored 30 or more points in eight of the 10 games. James has now scored 20 or more points in 47 consecutive games.
