NBA Playoffs: 5 keys to Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers series

NBA Playoffs 2018: 5 keys to Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers matchup

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 28: Draymond Green #23, Kevin Durant #35, Klay Thompson #11, and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors look on in Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals against the Houston Rockets during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 28, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 25: Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers is helped off the court after a collision in the first quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

2. Kevin Love’s health

Ty Lue is still “hopeful” that Love can play in Game One but that’s far from a certainty. He skipped Media Day on Wednesday and, per the league, is still in the concussion protocol. It may be a game time decision whether or not he’s available to play in the opener.

Love isn’t a perfect player but it’s hard to overstate his potential importance for the Cavs. He is clearly the team’s second scoring option behind James. His ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter opens up precious space for his teammates on offense.

He’s not a good defender, but he is willing. There’s no reason he can’t guard the likes of Kevon Looney in this series. Kerr can try to play him off the floor with his wing-based lineups, but Lue would likely stick with Love and deal with the defensive consequences.

If he can’t return soon, it’s hard to imagine Cleveland making this much of a series. The team just doesn’t have enough offensive firepower with him out of the lineup. If you want to see a long series, you should be praying for a healthy Kevin Love to return as soon as possible.

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