Kevin Love can do nothing to help the Cavaliers right now after being sidelined with a hand injury. After the Cleveland Cavaliers dismantled the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-112 Tuesday night, it doesn’t look like they need much help anyway.
The only thing on Love’s mind right now is to get back to the team healthy.
Love posted on Twitter how he felt about the huge win against one of the Western Conference’s best teams.
“Man, hell of a win heading into the All-Star break!! Can’t wait to be back on the floor with these boys!!”
“Hell of a win” is an apt description of how the Cavaliers pocketed a win on Oklahoma’s home floor. On several occasions, the Cavs led by double-figures even with the Thunder mounting one rally after another to close the gap. As with most NBA games, the team facing the deficit would make a run which the Thunder did, leading briefly during the third quarter.
But the Cavs’ latest additions, George Hill, Jordan Clarkson, Rodney Hood, and Larry Nance Jr. would not let up. Their energy and speed were a welcome sight to the slow and methodical pace of the Cavaliers from a month ago. They kept their composure and wrested the lead for good before the quarter ended.
All four players contributed mightily to the Cavs’ cause, scoring 48 points combined. That’s 40 percent of the entire team’s output.
With the win, the Cavaliers have now won four straight games heading into the All-Star break. Two of those wins have come with “these boys” playing.
The one area where Love was missed is on the boards where the Cavs were outrebounded by 10. When he does come back, Love should help greatly with the Cavaliers attack.
Love broke his hand during a game between the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons. Based on the timetable for his return, he will be back in the lineup between March 14-28 depending on his recovery.