With Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals only hours away, the Cleveland Cavaliers appear to have decided on how they intend to approach the game sans their five-time All-Star Kevin Love. Jeff Green is the next man up and head coach Tyronn Lue is depending on the forward to fill the gaping hole that was left in the wake of Love’s absence.
Here’s the confirmatory Tweet from Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon.
Love played only five minutes in Game 6 and was forced to leave the ballgame in the first quarter after his collision with Boston Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum led to concussion-like symptoms. The situation has gone from bad to worse as the Cavs have placed the 6-foot-10 big man under the concussion protocol which means that he will likely be out for a few more days at the very least.
Love has been an integral part of the Cavs’ playoff run this season with averages of 13.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 1.6 threes in 31 minutes per ballgame in the postseason. On the other hand, Green has been rather pedestrian, averaging only 7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in the postseason. To say that the disparity is huge — especially in the rebounding department — would be an understatement.
However, Green plays better defense and it was evident in their Game 6 over the Celtics in Cleveland.
With the Robin to his Batman out for this crucial matchup, LeBron James will need to dig deep and give everything that he’s got to give the Cavs a fighting chance against the surging Celtics who will be looking to secure the Game 7 victory on their home ground.
