By David Walters
bobcats.com
January 2, 2012

KEY MATCHUP
Kemba Walker vs. Kyrie Irving
The Charlotte Bobcats face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night at Quicken Loans Arena… This boasts a matchup between two of the 2011 NBA Draft's top point guards; No. 9 overall pick Kemba Walker and No. 1 pick Kyrie Irving… Walker has played strong off the bench for the Bobcats so far this season, averaging 11.5 points, 3.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 20.5 minutes… He hit some clutch free throws in the closing seconds of the Bobcats season-opening victory over the Milwaukee Bucks and has shown he can compete at this level… Walker is coming off his best game as a pro after scoring 17 points with four assists in Miami on Monday… Irving is having a good season as well, averaging 13.3 points and 5.5 assists while starting all four games for the Cavaliers… Although Walker doesn't start and Irving does, look for these two players to be matched up on each other throughout the game.

SCOUTING THE BOBCATS (1-3)
The Bobcats have dropped three straight after winning their opener against the Bucks… Charlotte has cooled off as of late but still has six double-figure scorers led by guards D.J. Augustin (14.3 points and 6.3 assists) and Gerald Henderson (13.8 points and 4.8 rebounds)… DJ White has played strong as the teams starting power forward, averaging 11.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.25 blocks, while Boris Diaw and Corey Maggette have averaged 10.0 points… Rookie Bismack Biyombo is coming off his strongest outing of the season with six points, six rebounds and two blocks off the bench… Look for the Bobcats to come out with more energy and get back on track Tuesday in a very winnable matchup… The Bobcats will play at the New York Knicks on Wednesday to end their three-game road trip.

SCOUTING THE CAVALIERS (2-2)
The Cavaliers have split their first four games of the season and are coming off a 98-82 win over the Nets where they hit 16 treys… Daniel Gibson hit five 3-pointers and scored 19 points off the bench, and Antawn Jamison led the Cavs with 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting… Cavs energetic big man Anderson Varejao is averaging 10.3 rebounds this season with 4.5 of those coming on the offensive end… Like the Bobcats, the Cavs also boast six players scoring double figures… Cleveland is young and they have some shooters that can hurt the Bobcats if they heat up.

TUNE IN
The Bobcats tip off against the Cavaliers at 7 p.m. Tuesday on SportSouth. You can also catch all the action on WFNZ. Don't forget to join the live chat starting at 7 p.m.