Blatt: Kevin Love is just fine in Cavaliers scheme

The Cleveland Cavaliers have won 11 straight despite inconsistent offensive production from Kevin Love, yet coach David Blatt has no worries on the issue.

So what if Kevin Love isn’t scoring much? It’s all good in Cleveland these days.

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The Cavaliers have ripped off 11 straight wins and are now just three games behind the Raptors for second place in the Eastern Conference. Much of that has come despite Love’s inconsistent production, which petered out on Monday when he scored just five points on a mere seven attempts in a win over the 76ers.

For now, it’s not a burning issue for coach David Blatt.

“I’m not at all concerned,” he said. “We’ve won 11 games in a row, and Kevin has been a big part of that. He’s been playing defense, he’s been rebounding the ball.”

Blatt has a point. Love ranks among the NBA’s top rebounders, as he is eighth with 10.5 boards per night. For all the beef about his “lack of scoring,” Love’s 16.9 points per game is just two points less than what he averaged in his final season with the Timberwolves.

The Cavs have added more firepower with the acquisitions of Timofev Mozgov, Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith, which has taken touches away from Love. In his talk with Fox Sports Ohio’s Sam Amico, Blatt added that Love’s scoring slide is just part of the dance that is an 82-game schedule.

“Guys go through periods of time were they get less opportunities,” said Blatt. “The question is, how’s the team doing? The team is winning and Kevin is playing and contributing.”

Added Blatt: “I think it’s important everyone is involved. I think Kevin is very much in the flow of the game. Last thing that concerns me is, ‘Will Kevin Love score?'”

Much of Love’s contributions are coming on the defensive end, where Cleveland has made like a song from The Clash and delivered the clampdown on opponents. The Cavs enter Thursday’s home date against the Clippers in a stretch in which they have kept their last nine opponents under 100 points. The stretch marks the first time since 2008-09 that Cleveland’s defense has been this dominant.

Stop worrying about Kevin Love, folks. There will come a night where LeBron James or Kyrie Irving won’t have it on the offensive end. That will open the door for Love to step up and be the dominant force he has been throughout his career. Keep in mind that it’s just early February. There’s a lot of basketball to be played and Love will be a big part of the Cavs’ plans.

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