CLEVELAND — A little rest was all LeBron James needed.

James, who sat out of practice for two days to rest his ailing back, will play tonight when the Cleveland Cavaliers host the New Jersey Nets.

Following the morning shootaround, Cavs coach Mike Brown said James will play. The NBA's leading scorer has been bothered by back spasms for weeks. They became more severe during the second half of home losses to Chicago and Orlando.

The Cavaliers are trying to wrap up the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Cleveland has a two-game lead over Washington and a three-game cushion over Philadelphia with five games left.