"Is power forward Charlie Villanueva playing well enough to start?

Villanueva had 16 points and eight rebounds in a 99-88 loss to Minnesota on Friday, and 19 points and three rebounds in a 97-94 loss to Charlotte on Saturday.

With Jonas Jerebko likely out for most or all of the season with a ruptured right Achilles tendon, Villanueva's competition for the job is rookie Greg Monroe and slender Austin Daye.

"I'll tell you this: We still have two exhibition games to go, and Charlie has done a great job," coach John Kuester said. "Austin Daye has done a great job; (Jason) Maxiell has played well. Regardless of who we end up starting, it's not always who starts but who finishes. We'll find out who finishes -- that's another chapter. We're pleased with the progress of the players who have been at that position.''

Who finishes games largely will be determined by who is playing the best defense in the fourth quarter, not a strong suit of Villanueva's."