Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Raptors
By Ryan Piers
3. Feeding Love early paid off later
Kevin Love averaged 11.4 points per game in the Cavaliers series against Indiana. Yes, he was pressing through an injury. Still, it was stunningly low production from the team’s second scoring option.
After a dreadful first game against Toronto, head coach Tyronn Lue knew he needed to feed his starving big man in Game 2. He opened the buffet, and Love feasted with six shots in the first six minutes. He only made two of those, but early touches allowed Love to find his rhythm.
During a crucial stretch from the end of the second quarter to the early third, Love drilled two buckets of note — first, an alley-oop that sparked a 14-9 run to close the first half, then, a 27-footer to give the Cavs a commanding 77-68 lead.
Love played to his full potential, peppering Toronto with an array of soft hooks and long balls. The big man finished with 31 points on 11-for-21 shooting and 11 rebounds. His plus/minus eclipsed +20 for just the fourth time this year. His performance was reminiscent of his play from the old Minnesota Timberwolves days.
“Kevin Love is looking like the old Kevin Love,” play-by-play announcer Mark Jones said toward the end of the Cavaliers’ rout. Truer words rarely spoken.