Gibson sits against Hawks, adding to Cavs' lengthy injured list

Updated: February 9, 2008, 9:27 PM ET

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ATLANTA -- LeBron James really had to carry the load for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were missing four of their top seven scorers for Friday night's 100-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Daniel Gibson, averaging 11.6 points, was on the inactive list after straining his right hamstring the previous night in a loss at Houston.

Also inactive were Sasha Pavlovic (sprained foot) and Anderson Varejao (sprained ankle), while Drew Gooden was still bothered by a strained right groin, sustained Tuesday while going up for dunk against Boston.

Gooden, averaging 11.3 points, tested his groin before the game but wasn't able to start. Pavlovic missed his eighth straight game and is expected to be out another month. Varejao sat out his sixth game in a row and likely will be sidelined another week or two.

"You feel a little bad for the guys because I know it's difficult for me when you're missing multiple guys like this," coach Mike Brown said. "We've just got to keep trying to find a way."

The injuries forced Cleveland to scramble its lineup. Ira Newble, who started at guard against Houston, moved up to forward. Eric Snow, averaging less than a point a game, started in the backcourt alongside Larry Hughes.

"Guys just have to stay ready to come in and contribute any way they can," Brown said. "But we're a capable team. We feel like we're deep. We feel like anybody can suit up and play for us. When the opportunity presents itself, we all have to step up to the challenge."

James, the NBA's leading scorer at 30.2 a game, wasn't at full strength, either. He hurt his right thumb during the third quarter against Houston.

"It's been better," he said. "It's not going to keep me out of the game."

James was asked if the injury would affect his jumper.

"We'll find out," he quipped. "I shoot enough during the course of the game."

The Cavaliers were especially vulnerable on the boards without Gooden and Varejao, who are both 6-foot-10.

"It's going to be a challenge for everybody," James said. "It's going to be a team thing."