Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 keys to series vs. Pacers

2. All-Star Kevin Love

As a result of the trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics, Kevin Love was bumped up to No. 2 on the Cavaliers’ hierarchy. While Love no doubt enjoys getting more touches on the offensive side, being the second option brings with it more pressure to produce on a nightly basis.

The Cavaliers can’t afford to have Love disappear for long stretches like he has in the past. Without another elite ball-handler next to LeBron, Cleveland needs someone who can consistently take pressure off James, if only for a few minutes while he gets his customary few minutes of rest.

While guys like J.R. Smith and Jordan Clarkson have their moments, Love, a five-time All-Star, is able to affect games outside of his ability to shoot the ball. Going up against guys like Thaddeus Young and Domantas Sabonis, Love clearly has an advantage both inside and out.

His ability to shoot from distance gives Cleveland added spacing from either the power forward or center spot, and his ability to post up and crash the offensive glass poses a unique scouting report for the Pacers’ big men — one that isn’t all that easy to shut down.

Slotting Love at the center position would also draw Pacers’ shot-blocking center Myles Turner out from the paint or force him out of the game, taking away one of Indiana’s biggest advantages in Turner, while giving Love an advantage inside and allowing guys like James and Clarkson to drive to the paint uncontested at the rim.