CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The pre-game talk on Monday night at The Q had nothing to do with the Cavaliers and Timberwolves and everything to do with a shootout between Cavs coach Byron Scott and All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving at practice on Tuesday.

"So that's what we're talking about tonight?" Scott said, smiling, after the media grilled him about the shootout. "We do play Minnesota. You know that, right? We do have a game tonight."

Of much more interest was the challenge Scott issued to Irving -- and the trash talk that ensued.

"I just read something today where coach Scott unofficially challenged me," Irving said before the game against the Wolves. "That's something a third-place winner would do, go behind my back and challenge me. The challenge is supposed to be [Tuesday]. I'm looking forward to it. I'm getting up early and doing my pushups."

Irving, who will take part in the 3-point shootout during All-Star Weekend for the first time, was referring to Scott's third-place finish in the contest in 1988. Scott came in last in his first appearance in 1987.

"It's really, basically, to show him how the contest is done," Scott said. "Like I said the other day, 60 seconds is a long time, so he doesn't have to rush. He can take his time and get all five balls from each spot. You get that done in 60 seconds pretty easy."

The main problem is that Irving is 20. Scott is 51.

The coach is still confident.

"It's like riding a bike," he said. "You never forget how to do it."

Even though that bike has some miles on it, Scott still thinks he can beat Irving.

"I think I've got a good shot," Scott said. "My only problem is if I get tired. That's a lot of shots for a guy who doesn't shoot that much right now. That's my biggest challenge. I said I'm going to get two chances at it because I'm old. I'm going to go around twice and we'll take my best score and see if you can beat it.

"He said, 'Well you can just add up both of your scores and I can probably beat it.' He's talking a lot. So, we'll see."

For those who remember the lift Scott used to get on his jumper during his playing days, forget it.

"It'll be pretty much a set shot," Scott said, laughing.

Sympathy for Adelman: Minnesota coach Rick Adelman gave Scott his start in coaching when the two were in Sacramento, and the Cavs coach feels for what Adelman is going through this season. He has missed 11 games to be with his wife, who is ill, and his team has been decimated by injuries, too.

"I don't know about the personal life," Scott said. "I know he's missed 11 games. I don't know why, but I know it's something tough. Knowing Rick the way I do, Rick is a tremendous person and a tremendous coach. I don't think he gets enough credit. All the places he's been, all he does is win.

"To go through what he's going through, I sympathize and I understand it. Not the personal part but the basketball part. He's going through a ton of injuries. I've been through that. But Rick is a tough guy. He'll keep battling I know that. He'll keep teaching these guys how to play the right way."