Is Kevin Love playing tonight? Latest injury update for 76ers vs. Heat
By Ian Levy
Kevin Love has been a constant presence on the injury report since joining the Miami Heat. Will he be able to play against the 76ers?
The Miami Heat are locked in a tight race in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff race but didn’t make any major moves at the trade deadline. However, they did pick up veteran forward Kevin Love after he was bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Love was fantastic last season, finishing second in the sixth man of the Year race, but he’d struggled to find his footing this season. Through 41 games against the Cavs, Love was shooting just 38.9 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from beyond the arc, eventually falling out of the rotation entirely.
Love has also been working through knee pain for much of the season and he is listed on the Miami Heat’s injury report for tonight’s big game against the 76ers.
Will Kevin Love be available to play against the Philadelphia 76ers?
Love is listed as probable, the same as for the last three games all of which he has been able to play in. Given that, it seems safe to assume he’ll be able to play tonight.
Love hasn’t been much better so far in a Heat uniform — averaging 7.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, but shooting just 30.4 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from beyond the arc. However, he’s started all three of his games since joining the Heat, averaging 23.0 minutes per game. It’s clear that Love has a meaningful role to play in the rotation and the Heat can use his rebounding and passing even if his jumper continues to waver.
Check out The Step Back for more news, analysis, opinion and unique basketball coverage. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our daily email newsletter, The Whiteboard.