Kyrie Irving out on Sunday for matchup with Rockets

The Cavaliers' offense ground to a half Friday night without star guard Kyrie Irving and forward LeBron James. While James is likely to play on Sunday afternoon in Houston against the Rockets, Irving did not travel with the team.

From the Cavs, on Irving:

He did not travel with the team on the current two game road trip to Indianapolis and Houston and received additional examination, including an MRI, Friday morning at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health, the results of which confirmed a left shoulder strain. Irving was Out for the game against the Pacers last night, is receiving additional treatment today and tomorrow at Cleveland Clinic Courts and will be Out for the game in Houston against the Rockets Sunday afternoon. His status will next be updated Tuesday morning at the team’s shoot around in advance of Tuesday’s home game vs. the Boston Celtics.

This is a bit of a bummer, of course. The Cavs are rolling when they have their Big Three healthy. Lose Kevin Love, and there isn't much depth inside. Lose Irving or James, and the offense loses its purpose. With the Cavs in the midst of a race for playoff seeding and in a tough stretch of games, losing Irving for an extended amount of time could really hurt.

If you are playing FanDuel today, it seems like a safe bet that James and perhaps Love will get untracked today. Betting on J.R. Smith or the cheap Iman Shumpert might be the right call as well. James Harden, for the Rockets, is about as safe a play as there is on FanDuel. Go here to collect your SB Nation signup bonus if you haven't done so already.