3. A Kevin Love rotation return
A tweaked calf, poor matchups and an Eastern Conference Finals MVP-like performance from Caleb Martin, not only banished Kevin Love from the Heat starting lineup, but regulated the 15-year veteran to sporting warmups for the last three games. A fact that should change during this Denver series.
Particularly, with Cody Zeller now being listed as questionable with a right foot sprain and Love chiming in that he is ready to go:
Kevin Love on mindset after falling out of Heat rotation recently: "I think the luxury is I’ll be sitting there waiting. If my number is called, great. If not, I’m going to support these guys the best I can.”
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) June 3, 2023
Regardless of Zeller’s status, there is no realistic explanation for Love being behind him in the rotation, unless he is nursing a serious injury. A statement such as that would make some wonder if Love’s impact were even great enough to shift the scale. Maybe not completely, but he has the skills to contribute to a collective momentum swing.
A 6.9 point per game average, through 16 postseason games does not sound like a lot, but Love’s ability to snatch 5.8 rebounds per game and initiate fastbreaks with his outlet passes means easy transition points for Miami. His ability to stretch the floor to the three-point line will, also, draw defenders away from clogging the lane.
Just as notable, Love would be another body to throw at Nikola Jokic on the defensive end.