Cavs' Smith: Reintegrating will be difficult, but so was being down 3-1 in Finals

J.R. Smith is facing an uphill battle, but it's not like he hasn't faced adversity before.

The Cleveland Cavaliers swingman has been sidelined since December with a right thumb fracture that required surgery. He logged in his first full practice Wednesday, and could return as soon as Thursday against the Detroit Pistons.

However, quite a bit has changed in the 31-year-old's absence. The team's added Kyle Korver, Deron Williams, and Derrick Williams, while Kevin Love is expected to return from knee surgery later this month. Cleveland will likely sign another player after picking up and dropping Andrew Bogut due to an injury he suffered a minute into his Cavaliers career.

With all those moving parts, and factoring in rust from the lack of on-court activity for almost three months, Smith expects his reintegration to be challenging.

"It will be difficult," he told ESPN's Dave McMenamin, "but being down 3-1 (in the NBA Finals) is difficult."

Indeed, the latter is difficult. The Cavs became the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 Finals deficit last season when they completed the unlikely comeback against the Golden State Warriors.

Smith, who last played Dec. 20, is listed as questionable for the contest at The Palace of Auburn Hills. When he does return to the fold, he'll likely see reduced minutes. Iman Shumpert has been starting at the two-spot in his stead, while Korver has also gotten burn at the position.

Swish is averaging 8.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and a steal in 28.9 minutes per outing this season for the defending champs, who remain No. 1 in the East.