Bobcats vs. Cavaliers

2 p.m. Monday, Time Warner Cable Arena

TV: SportSouth Radio: WBCN-AM 1660

Projected Starters

Matchup to Watch

Kyrie Irving vs. D.J. Augustin: Irving, the No. 1 overall pick and former Duke star, controlled the first game against the Bobcats this season with exceptional dribble penetration. If you can’t stay in front of Irving, he’s going to create all sorts of opportunities for the Cavs’ spot-up shooters.

Observations

•  There were questions about Irving after he played so few college games leading up to the draft, but he clearly looks like a fine first pick so long as he stays healthy.

•  The Cavaliers are coming off a West Coast trip that included a close loss at the Los Angeles Lakers.

•  Cleveland center Anderson Varejao is averaging 4.7offensive rebounds, so Byron Mullens better remember to block out Monday or there will be a lot of putbacks.

•  Irving is the highest-scoring rookie at 16.6 ppg., and his assists (5.2 per game) rank second to Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio (7.9).

Tap-ins

•  This is the only true day game (tip-off before 6 p.m. local time) on the Bobcats’ schedule.

•  Bobcats forward D.J. White was back at practice Sunday after missing the Warriors game because of a family funeral.

•  Corey Maggette (strained hamstring suffered Jan. 4) has started doing some light shooting. He’s not yet cleared to run or jump, and says he only recently started walking normally following the injury. No firm timetable for Maggette’s return.

Did you know?

An indication how important the point guard is in the NBA’s no-hand check era: Irving became the third point guard taken No. 1 overall in the past four years, joining Chicago’s Derrick Rose and Washington’s John Wall. Previous to those three, it had been 12 years since a guard was chosen No. 1 overall (Allen Iverson).

Rick Bonnell