(My Sportsbook) - After missing the Cavaliers' season-opener because of a one-game suspension that stemmed from a September drunk driving incident, center Zydrunas Ilgauskas came up big for the Cavs on Wednesday.

With 2.8 seconds left in his team's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Ilgauskas nailed a mid-range jumper to put the Cavs ahead 98-96. LA's Corey Maggette then lost his dribble on the other end, sealing the road win for Cleveland.

Ilgauskas finished with 19 points and nine rebounds, as the Cavaliers rebounded from an embarrassing 94-67 loss to the Sacramento Kings in their season-opener.

"We were reminded on how much we missed 'Z' when he didn't play against Sacramento," Ricky Davis told The Plain Dealer. "We missed his inside presence and that made a big difference."

Ilgauskas played just 92 games over the previous four seasons because of chronic foot problems, but is hoping for an injury-free 2002-03 campaign, and so are the rebuilding Cavs.

During his first NBA season in 1997-98, Ilgauskas was selected to the NBA All- Rookie Team and was the Most Valuable Player of the Rookie Game at All-Star Weekend.

Along with Ilgauskas, the Cavs are expecting big things from offseason acquisition Darius Miles. Cleveland attempted to spark its sagging franchise by trading proven point guard Andre Miller to the Clippers for the raw Miles and his tremendous upside.

The two both had a chance to stick it to their former teams Wednesday. Miller finished with 15 points, 14 assists and six rebounds against Cleveland, where he spent his first three seasons. Meanwhile, Miles scored 15 points and pulled down five boards against the Clips, but his team came away with the W.

Miller is without a doubt the better player at the moment. But Miles will likely be one of the league's stars in two-to-three years, not to mention an attraction that fans will pay to see, even in Cleveland.

Head coach John Lucas takes back over the reins from assistant Jerry Eaves for Friday's game against Phoenix after serving a two-game suspension.

The Cavs continue their tough early schedule by playing three of their next four games on a road. The team's only home contest in the span is against the three-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, who fortunately for Cleveland, will be without the sidelined Shaquille O'Neal.