Cavaliers vs. Lakers: Pau Gasol out, Dwight Howard a game-time decision

Center Dwight Howard is a game-time decision while forward Pau Gasol has been ruled out of the Los Angeles Lakers' game on Sunday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Times reporter Mike Bresnahan tweeted.

After injuring his shoulder, Howard will be reevaluated before the 9:30 p.m. ET tip, but Gasol is still not recovered from a concussion suffered on Jan. 6 against the Denver Nuggets. That game was the last time the Lakers had either Gasol, Howard or fellow big man Jordan Hill. Los Angeles has lost three games without the trio to extend their losing streak to six games.

Believing the game against Cleveland would be the return of both Gasol and Howard, Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni told his beaten-down club that the season starts Sunday. But without Gasol at the very least, D'Antoni and point guard Steve Nash will again be missing out on the opportunity to find chemistry with the two big men.

Those opportunities are drying up quickly as Los Angeles falls in the Western Conference standings.

Los Angeles will continue to use Earl Clark, who has impressed once entering the rotation the past three games. He has two double-doubles in a row coming into the game against the Cavs, and InsideSoCal.com reports that he'll continue earning minutes even when Gasol returns.