Thanks in large part to Kevin Love’s accuracy from the field (as well as his prowess on the glass), the Cleveland Cavaliers are currently riding the wave of a 12-game winning streak (longest active streak in the NBA).
Love, now 29 years of age, has caught his fair share of flack from naysayers over the years. This season, however, those same doubters are holding their tongues — and for good reason. Over the course of Cleveland’s win streak, the 6-10 double-double machine has managed to knock down shots at an incredibly efficient rate. In the 12 games played over that span, Love has turned in averages of 20.8 points on 51.2 percent shooting from the field (40.3 percent from beyond the arc), 10.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists — all while knocking down 90.2 percent of his free throws.
With Tristan Thompson out of the lineup due to a calf injury, Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue asked Love — a power forward by trade — to slide to the center position. To be frank, the decision has paid off, as opposing sides have simply had a hard time dealing with the extra floor spacing.
On Monday night, Love led all Cavs scorers in their 113-92 win over the Chicago Bulls inside the United Center, scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds, and one block in his 23 minutes of paying time.
In his 24 appearances with the Cavs this season, Love has turned in averages of 19.2 points on a career-high 47.2 percent shooting from the field (38.3 percent from downtown), 10.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. His 89.8 percent free-throw percentage leads the Cavs and is 13th in the entire NBA.
Love and the Cavs will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on the Sacramento Kings inside Quicken Loans Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST with Fox Sports Ohio having live broadcast coverage. Let’s see if they can keep their momentum rolling.