Fansided

NBA Finals Player Preview: Kevin Love

By Derek James

Apr 22, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love could be the key to everything in their NBA Finals matchup with the Golden State Warriors.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will need Kevin Love’s best against the Golden State Warriors. We saw how the Warriors closed the Thunder out in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals by hitting three-pointers and limiting their opponents’. It will be essential for the Cavaliers to avoid this, and Love will be a major factor in that.

In 12 postseason wins, Love is averaging 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Additionally, Love has shot 46.9 percent on 6.8 three-point attempts in such games. However, in losses Love has averaged just 6.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Love’s shooting also plummeted to 27.3 percent on three-pointers in both Cavalier losses. His shooting overall in losses is a dreadful 21.7 percent. This is something the Cavaliers cannot afford to have happen.

Against Toronto, Tyronn Lue made it a point to feature Love more and got the best out of his forward. Love has to do his part to be involved but if the offense gets too far away, Lue needs to correct this. When Love is involved, he cleans up the glass, is a deft passer, and opens up the floor for everyone else.

Love will have his work cut out for him against Draymond Green and it will be up to the Cavaliers to figure out how to keep Love as a factor. Whether that’s as a spot-up shooter or in the pick-n- roll, an effective Love will take pressure off of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. We’ve seen how back-breaking Love can be when he’s hitting three-pointers or taking away second chance opportunities on the defensive glass.

Against these Warriors, every possession is crucial. In order to be successful, the Cavaliers need Love to be consistently productive. They likely cannot afford to have Love neither shooting or rebounding, as has been the trend in their losses this postseason.

For more NBA Finals coverage, check out our NBA Finals hub page.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers