Aleksandar Pavlovic returns for Cavaliers after 23-game absence

By Larry Fine

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Reuters) - Cleveland Cavaliers guard Aleksandar Pavlovic is returning to NBA action on Wednesday against the Nets after missing 23 games with a foot injury and the Serbian is eager to join the playoff drive.

"I'm excited to be on the floor," Pavlovic, 24, told Reuters after practice ahead of Cleveland's game against New Jersey.

"I can't wait to play basketball again. I haven't played for so long but I feel very good. I practiced a couple of times. I think I'm going to be all right."

The Cavs, last year's Eastern Conference champions, have won five of their last six games and are now fourth-best in the conference at 37-27 thanks to the spectacular play of LeBron James, averaging 30.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists.

Pavlovic got off to a slow start this season after missing training camp in a contract holdout, but was hitting his stride until he sprained his left foot on January 23 against Washington.

A first-round NBA draft pick by Utah Jazz in 2003, he joined the Cavs the following year.

Pavlovic averaged 7.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists after starting 35 of 38 games he has played this season.

The 6-7 guard is joining a new-look Cavs squad as Cleveland added center Ben Wallace, forwards Joe Smith and Wally Szczerbiak, and guard Delonte West in a blockbuster deal last month.

The trade surrounded James with some skilled veterans and also ended up helping Cleveland deal with a spate of injuries that sidelined guard Daniel Gibson (ankle sprain), center Zydrunas Ilgauskas of Lithuania (back strain) and Pavlovic.

Pavlovic likes the Cavs' chances heading toward the playoffs.

"I think we're having a good season and now after the trade I think we can do even better," he said. "We have great players. I think we're going to go as far as last year. We just got to work together and adjust this team after the trade.

"That's why I think we have a good team. We don't have everybody yet but we're playing good and winning games. That's a good sign for us."

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar)