Shaquille O’Neal is expected to rejoin the Cavaliers starting lineup tonight when they face the Bobcats at 7:30.

O’Neal went through shootaround here this morning without incident and Cavs coach Mike Brown said he intends to activate him for the game.

Brown said he will not have O’Neal on a minute restriction and the plan is to play him on both ends of the back-to-back, including Saturday’s home game against Dallas. Zydrunas Ilgauskas will return to the backup role.