Cavs struggle without McMinnis.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Tom Reed

CLEVELAND _ Paul Silas is not a contender for the vacant throne of Martha Stewart, who might soon trade making homes for license plates.

But the Cleveland Cavaliers coach knows the recipe for potential disaster as it applies to basketball. Remove a key ingredent like injured point guard Jeff McInnis from the mix and suddenly you cannot bring your playoff aspirations to full boil.

Or, as Silas so succiently put it following Sunday's 96-76 loss to Detroit: ``You can't make chicken salad out of you know what.''

McInnis sat out his second consecutive game with what the Cavaliers are calling a right shoulder bruise. The Cavaliers are 0-2 in his absense and lack the zip and swagger they possessed during their recent seven-game winning streak.

It's not the worst shoulder injury to darken this fair city since pitcher Wayne Garland took up residence on the IR list in the late 1970s, but it's hard to overstate what McInnis has brought to the Cavaliers.

It's difficult to imagine them making the playoffs if he remains sidelined for an extended stretch. McInnis not only makes the offense go, he brings an edginess to a team that seems to thrive on it.

It's no concidence the Cavaliers are 17-8 in games in which he has played since arriving from Portland on Jan. 21. Silas said he hopes to have McInnis back for Tuesday's game against Phoenix, but did not sound confident about it.

``McInnis has been giving us quality minutes and you look at what we have done since he's been here _ that's invaluable,'' Silas said.

``'You need somebody to steady you out there and that was our major problem. I'm not knocking our guys _ we just didn't have it.''

Even with the McInnis in the lineup the Cavaliers probably don't beat the Pistons, winners of eight consecutive games.

Nobody in the league is playing better defense. The Pistons are talented, aggressive and deep. They haven't looked this imposing since Bill Laimbeer, Isiah Thomas, Rick Mahorn and the rest of the Bad Boys treated the Cavaliers and others like chew toys in the late 80s.

``You know defense carries their team and they are going to go a long way,'' said LeBron James, who finished with 15 points on 5-of-17 shooting.

The Cavaliers were never in this game after the first quarter. They had no penetration or flow. They shot 38 percent and managed just 10 fast-break points.

The Pistons have been clamping down on every opponent in recent weeks, but Silas wasn't about to annoint them the ``greatest defensive team ever'' with his team playing short-handed.

``I don't know if we would have won or not, but we would have certainly been better (with) J-Mac,'' Silas said.

That's not an indictment of Kevin Ollie, who started the past two games at point guard. He has given the Cavaliers a good effort all season and has been solid in relief of McInnis.

Ollie is like a trusty computer that can perform similar Internet functions to the high-tech model, only without the same connection speed. Right now, the Cavaliers are back to dial-up after becoming accustomed to DSL.

``We have been used to a certain style (with McInnis),'' forward Eric Williams said. ``Sometimes, you need to readjust and that takes a little longer.''

Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, they don't have the luxury of time as they fight for a playoff spot.

Silas tried Dajuan Wagner and James at the point in hopes of sparking the offense. Nothing worked. The coach used James there despite telling the media prior to the game he would not revisit that option.

It's amazing to think what McInnis has meant to the Cavaliers, especially considering his pro pedigree. He is four years removed from the CBA. He had lost his starting job with the Trail Blazers before coming to Cleveland.

But some players blossom in the right environment. McInnis is a classic example _ one the Cavaliers hope they can use again before it's too late.

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(c) 2004, Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio).