Gibson, Parker injuries leave Cavaliers shorthanded

INDEPENDENCE. Ohio (AP) -- The Cavaliers are running out of shooting guards.

Starter Anthony Parker and reserve Daniel Gibson will miss Tuesday's game against Boston with injuries, and Cleveland coach Byron Scott doesn't know how long he'll be without the two players.

Parker has been bothered by a sore lower back, which limited him to 14 minutes in Sunday's win over the Celtics. Parker sat out Monday's practice as the team prepared for their second game in three days with the Celtics.

Scott said Parker was hurting early in the game at Boston.

"I just remember him going up and down the floor a couple times and he was kind of grimacing," Scott said. "Then he gave me the sign to take him out. I don't think it had to do with playing 10 minutes in the first quarter."

Parker, who is averaging 6 points and 23 minutes, sat out one game last week because of his back.

Gibson stayed behind in Boston on Monday to have more tests on his sore neck. A team spokesman said Gibson is at Beth Israel Hospital and the Cavs do not know when Gibson will return. Gibson said his neck began to hurt during Friday night's game against New Jersey. Gibson is averaging 7.1 points and is the Cavs' best perimeter defender.

The Cavs don't have many options to replace Parker or Gibson, who started the one game Parker sat out.

Rookie Mychel Thompson played the entire fourth quarter on Sunday against the Celtics. Also, 6-foot-6 Alonzo Gee, who has been playing small forward, could move into the backcourt as he has done at times this season.

There's also a chance the team could recall Manny Harris from their Canton affiliate in the NBA Development League. Harris was named the D-League's player of the week after averaging 25 points and 7.3 rebounds in three games.