Cavs guard Ricky Davis doesn't back down from anyone. Not even Michael Jordan.

Following the Cavs' loss to Washington last week, where Jordan scored 40 points, Davis said everyone's scared of Jordan, but he isn't.

Jordan said he knows the younger players all want to challenge him, and he doesn't have a problem with that.

"[Davis] shouldn't be scared," Jordan said. "If he is scared, then obviously I've won the game before it starts. I take on all kinds of challenges and he's no different. He's going to come at me at home, and I'll be there. I don't think I'm running away from any challenges."

Jordan and Davis will get the opportunity to run into each other and settle the rubber match tonight between the Cavs and Wizards at Gund Arena. The Cavs easily defeated the Wizards by 19 points here on Nov. 27.

Jordan struggled from the field (9-of-24) and finished with 18 points. Davis, on the other hand, was 9-of-14 from the field for 18 points.

It was a game where Jordan perceived Davis as rubbing it in by dunking several times late in the game.

Jordan also didn't appreciate some pregame comments from Davis about dunking on him if he got the opportunity.

Jordan responded with 40 points against the Cavs last week in a Wizards victory.

It was the 14th time Jordan has scored 40 or more points against the Cavs during the regular season, the most for him against any team. Following the game, Jordan said, "It was one of those things that you didn't want to see happen again, so the best way to do that was to get [Davis] in foul trouble and sit him down over there so he can watch us."

Apparently, Davis didn't like last week's view.

"[Jordan] told me that he remembered the [first] game," said Davis after the game. "We're going to remember this when they come back to our place. He got the win this time."

Time has the ability to change things, and it appears time has changed Davis. Or Davis has come to understand trash-talking with Jordan isn't always beneficial.

"I'm just ready to go out and play hard and try to get a victory because we're struggling right now," Davis said. "Forget about all that one-on-one stuff. We need a victory. Finding something to motivate him is what [Jordan] needs to get himself going. He looks for stuff like that. I'm not going to help him get motivated this time. As we all know, he can still do what he wants to do on the court and he can embarrass you."

Well, a kinder, gentler Davis won't help Bryant Stith tonight. Stith is expected to start and he'll have the responsibility of defending Jordan.

"It's too late now," said Stith about no more trash-talking. "The damage has been done. Michael Jordan has a very long memory. What we have to do now is try to withstand his barrage of offensive moves, because you know it's coming."

Cavs coach John Lucas has tried to be a mediator since Jordan's offensive spree. Lucas has been overly complimentary about Jordan. Stith, who'll be in the middle of the fire, hasn't taken Lucas' stance.

"I'm not going to try to soften him up," Stith said. "I'm kind of psyched for the challenge. I want to play when he's giving his best. It's something you can go back home and laugh about over the summer. Either you can be a hero or you can be a goat."