The panic button has been shelved for now after the Cleveland Cavaliers posted another impressive win on Tuesday night (Nov. 28). It was the Cavs' ninth straight, this time coming against the Miami Heat. The latest game also marks the first time in his 15-year NBA career that LeBron James has been ejected.
Thanks to Kevin Love, the Cavaliers didn't need to worry too much about the Heat. By the time the first quarter ended, Love had already scored 22 points. By halftime, he increased his total point to 32 – only the third player this season to score at least 30 points at the half (James Harden and Stephen Curry).
Kevin Love finished the game with 38 points, helping the Cavaliers defeat the Heat, 108-97.
Big numbers from Love
Many basketball analysts and even Cavs fans question Kevin Love's consistency. This is the reason why when trade talks involving the Cleveland Cavaliers are written, his name is always mentioned. Cannot blame the man though; he’s not even supposed to bang around 7-footers down the baseline. He’s supposed to play at No. 4 while Tristan Thompson gets the tougher, nutcracker job.
“I'm so used to being out there with Tristan (Thompson) and fighting for rebounds with him and knowing the rotations at the 4 spot, playing inside out from the 4 spot,” Kevin Love said as posted on Cleveland.com.
“It's definitely been a change playing the 5 and having to match up and go against guys and maybe giving up two, three, four inches and 20, 30 pounds.”
Yet he seems to have comfortably adjusted while waiting for the return of Thompson. After banging bodies with Andre Drummond, Dwight Howard, and Joel Embiid, Kevin Love recently added Hassan Whiteside to his list.
38 points.
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 29, 2017
9 rebounds.@KevinLove was ON FIRE tonight. 🔥🔥🔥#AllForOne pic.twitter.com/LYhaROUnVT
Even the king needs help
Kevin Love’s contribution is just one of the many factors why the Cleveland Cavaliers are on a winning streak. Another is Jae Crowder's solid defense, which makes life harder for whoever gets assigned to him.
Yet the biggest revelation for the Cleveland Cavaliers is the veterans who are even much older than LeBron James. Dwyane Wade has taken over the leadership of the team’s second unit. Kyle Korver and Channing Frye have consistently reminded opponents not to leave them open or they will pay the hefty price of a three-pointer.
Then there’s Jose Calderon, who was rumored to have thought about leaving the NBA during the offseason. Without Isaiah Thomas, Derrick Rose, and Iman Shumpert, Calderon has brought composure to the Cleveland Cavaliers when needed the most, even while playing with just limited minutes.
More importantly, everyone seems to have settled down with their new assignments. Yet we’ll see how Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue will make adjustments when Isaiah Thomas, Tristan Thompson, Derrick Rose and Iman Shumpert are back.