CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The advice Cavs rookie Kay Felder received that may have unlocked some of his potential is simple.

"Don't look over at the bench," coach Tyronn Lue said he told Felder. "That's kind of the same approach I had with Jordan (McRae) as well, Liggs (DeAndre Liggins): 'Just play your game. And if you're doing too much, I'll let you know.'"

Felder scored 12 points in Cleveland's 90-82 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He has 25 in the last two games, and is taking advantage of gaping holes in Lue's rotation created by a wave of injuries, most notably to Kyrie Irving.

The Cavs sent Felder to Canton last Wednesday for a D-League game to play consistent minutes. He scored 33 points and then watched from the bench Thursday while Irving scored 32 and the Cavs beat Boston 124-118.

But Irving was injured against the Cs and hasn't played since. Felder, meanwhile, scored 13 off the bench in 19 minutes Saturday against the Hornets, and logged 22 minutes Monday.

Though Felder's minutes had already begun to climb -- Irving missed two games earlier this month and there have been some back-to-back games -- Lue was left with little choice but to play him meaningful minutes now.

Felder said he appreciates the trust Lue has shown in him.

"That's how it was in college, you know," said Felder, who was drafted in the second round out of Oakland University. "Go ahead and play your game and don't look over every time you do something or look for a play call. You knew what plays are in the playbook so go ahead and be free. That's what he's letting me do and I'm loving it."

The Cavs have had a hole at back-up point guard all season, and though Felder is a point guard he is almost never mentioned by team brass as a real option -- at least not this year.

When Felder has appeared in Lue's rotation on certain nights, Lue almost always explains it as that game's particular opponent offering Felder a favorable matchup. He's only 5-9, and has struggled making passes in traffic and on defense.

But now the Cavs are signaling that the rookie is improving. They went to Felder to sub in for James early in the fourth quarter Monday, handing him the offense when they were down two. He scored or assisted on the next four baskets.

"I just think he implanted everything he's been working on on practice days and off days into game situation," James said. "He's learning, he's watching film. You see him over there with the coaches every day and anybody that can take from what they watch on film and take what they do on the practice court and implement it into a game situation lets you know they have a great growth mindset. His mind is allowing him to go out there and do those things. It's good for his development."

Starting in Irving's place the last two games was Jordan McRae. He had a breakout game Saturday with 20 points, but struggled mightily against the Pelicans.

It remains to be seen whether or not Irving returns Wednesday against the Bulls, and if he doesn't then who starts for him. If Irving does play, then what happens to Felder's minutes?

Will they again be based on matchups?

"We'll see," Lue said. "He's done a great job of taking advantage of his opportunity. Kyrie being out and him having to step up and play against Kemba Walker and Jrue Holiday -- those are two big games and big challenges for a rookie and he's stepped up and he's played well."