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Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 10 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season

By Tony Pesta

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 22: Larry Nance Jr. #22 celebrates with Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half against the LA Clippers at Quicken Loans Arena on March 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Clippers defeated the Cavaliers 110-108. User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 22: Larry Nance Jr. #22 celebrates with Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half against the LA Clippers at Quicken Loans Arena on March 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Clippers defeated the Cavaliers 110-108. User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Kevin Love returns from injury

It’s very possible that Kevin Love is the most beloved player on the Cavaliers’ roster. As the only member of the Big 3 still playing in Cleveland, Love has a big responsibility to keep the team above water.

Before the season began, the hopes of having a good season sat squarely on the shoulders of Love. Without his All-Star presence, the team would have no chance of experiencing any success. Sadly, things are never that simple for Cleveland. Love quickly suffered a big toe injury that would cause him to miss 50 games.

While Love sat on the sideline nursing his injury, the Cavaliers stumbled and fell further down the rankings. Things got ugly for the Cavs as they attempted to play without their leader. By the time he returned in early February, Cleveland had a record of 11-43.

This is why the fanbase was so excited when he finally returned from injury. After months of watching their team struggle, the Cavaliers were regaining their sole All-Star player. Love only scored four points in his first game back, but it was his next three games that would bring all of Cleveland some joy.

In his next three contests, Love averaged 20.7 points and 10.7 rebounds a game on 50.0 percent shooting as Cleveland went a perfect 3-0 during this stretch. His best performance was the final game of this trio, when he dropped a season-high 32 points and 12 rebounds on 9-of-15 shooting against the Memphis Grizzlies.

For a fanbase that had just watched some of the worst basketball ever played by an NBA team, it was a relief to see Love back in action.

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