It's old school vs. new school.

Andre Miller, the throwback for the Cavaliers, will meet Baron Davis, the flashy Charlotte Hornet, in a battle tonight of two of the NBA's up-and-coming point guards.

``There's a real rivalry going there,'' said Cavs guard Wesley Person.

``Those two guys are probably the next two guards to be All-Stars. It think something is building there.''

Miller and Davis have battled nine times since both were lottery picks in 1999. Miller has performed better, averaging 15.8 points and 8.2 assists to 9.7 points and 5.6 assists for Davis. But Davis could claim victory in the last meeting. In a 100-94 Charlotte win Oct. 31, Davis outscored Miller 33-22, including 21-0 in the fourth period.

``I'm not really worried about (the statistics),'' Miller said. ``I owe him a win.''

Miller, averaging 16.8 points and 10.7 assists, and Davis, averaging 21.9 points and 6.3 assists, have different styles. Miller, who played four years in the structured college program at Utah, is a fundamentally sound player who gladly bypasses dunks for layups.

Davis, who left for the NBA after two years at freewheeling UCLA, is bigger on style, as evidenced by the headband he wears.

But Miller and Davis, who are both from Los Angeles, are good friends. ``We're cool,'' Miller said.

The two hung out together at the Goodwill Games last September in Australia. That is, when they weren't battling during practice.

``It was fierce,'' said Atlanta guard Jason Terry, who also was on the U.S. team. ``Baron would come down and shake and bake and take it right at Andre. Then Andre would come back as fast as he could and take it at him. I couldn't say either one has the upper hand.''

Miller, more concerned about wins than statistics, would give the nod to Davis, considering the Hornets have won six of their nine meetings.

STITH IS CLOSE -- Head coach John Lucas said the Cavs ``may'' activate guard Bryant Stith before tonight's game while putting center Michael Doleac, who has a stress fracture in his left foot, on the injured list. If Stith comes back tonight, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll play. But Lucas said Stith, who hasn't played since Nov. 2 due to a hip flexor, is ``close'' to being ready. Stith said he has yet to be given a timetable for his return. ``I feel good,'' he said. ``I'm continuing to work on conditioning.'' But can Stith play center, where the Cavs are undermanned? ``I'll try if I get some high-heeled shoes,'' he said.

NOTABLE -- With Doleac's injury, Chris Mihm, who moved to power forward this season, is back at center. He doesn't believe it will hamper his development. ``I'm still going to be able to move around and catch the ball out on the perimeter a little bit,'' he said. . . . Mike Templin, the 16-year-old Cavs ball boy nearly run over by Atlanta guard Jacque Vaughn while mopping the floor during Thursday's game, got an autographed jersey after the game from Vaughn. . . . Charlotte forward Jamal Mashburn, who has averaged 22.2 points in his five Hornets games against the Cavs, is out for about two more months with an abdominal strain.