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NBA general managers believe this is the season LeBron James finally takes Cleveland to the top.

The Cavaliers will win their first NBA championship and James will claim his fifth MVP award in the process, according to results of the NBA.com GM survey released Tuesday.

The Cavs received 53.6 percent of the votes from those responding to the poll, beating out San Antonio (25 percent). Cleveland reached the finals last year before falling to Golden State, which finished third in the poll with 17.9 percent of the votes.

James got 39.3 percent of the MVP votes to outpace New Orleans' Anthony Davis (25 percent). Davis got an astounding 86.2 percent of the votes as the player executives would want to build a franchise around now.

Lakers cut pair

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived center Robert Upshaw and guard Michael Frazier II. Upshaw played in four preseason games after showing promise in summer league games. The rangy, undrafted rookie from the University of Washington has ample potential, but apparently couldn't win a backup center job over Tarik Black or Robert Sacre. Frazier was an undrafted rookie from Florida.

Pelicans' Evans has arthroscopic surgery

New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans has had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

While the club says Tuesday's operation was "successful," the Pelicans are not immediately providing a timetable for Evans' return.

The 6-foot-6 Evans, who is expected to serve as starting point guard this season under new coach Alvin Gentry, averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game last season.

He played in two recent preseason games, averaging 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

Selected fourth overall out of Memphis by Sacramento in the 2009 NBA Draft, Evans has averaged 16.8 points, 5.2 assists and 4.9 rebounds during his career. —

NBA preseason

Tuesday's Games

Chicago 103, Indiana 94

Milwaukee 106, Minnesota 88

Phoenix 104, San Antonio 84

Oklahoma City 113, Utah 102

Golden State at Clippers, late

Wednesday's Games

New Orleans at Orlando, 5 p.m.

Charlotte at Detroit, 5:30 p.m.

Memphis at Atlanta, 6 p.m.

Washington at Miami, 6 p.m.

Phoenix at Dallas, 6:30 p.m.