Cleveland, OH (92.3 The Fan) – The Cavaliers practiced on Friday morning just 12 hours after overcoming a 14-point deficit en route to a 125-118 win over New York. They had four players score 20 or more points for the first time since 2017.
The Cavaliers have won four of their last six games and are 6-6 in their last twelve. Kevin Love’s return to the lineup is a big part of their recent success. He’s averaging 23 points and 10.3 rebounds per game over the last four contests. Love's also shooting 48 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range.
“He’s an All-Star,” Larry Nance Jr. said. “It’s not just his points or his rebounds, it’s just the level of respect the opposing team has to have for him when he’s on the court. This is what we knew he was going to do. That’s why coming into this year we were very optimistic about what we can be and who we can become. Now when he’s back you see us optimistic again. There are only 24 All-Stars in the NBA and that’s one of them. It’s great to have him back.”
Love missed 52 games this season after having toe surgery in November. His return has made life easier on his teammates, including Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman. Sexton averaged 18.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists in February. Osman is averaging 19.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his last 10 games.
Sexton found Jordan Clarkson for a critical three in Thursday’s win over the Knicks.
“Biggest play of the game,” Love said. “He’s trusting his teammates. J.C. is a professional scorer so he’s going to let that thing fly. I knew when it came off his hand it was going to be good. A few really great moments.”
Young Bull with the dime.JC with the trey.This squad is always fighting.#BeTheFight pic.twitter.com/JPPqPq2AbC
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 1, 2019THAT'S OUR ROOK. -- @CollinSexton02 pic.twitter.com/C6z2nrMkd6
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 1, 2019Ante Down – Ante Zizic has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Detroit due to a concussion. The Cavaliers play the Magic on Sunday, which means they'll likely be without Zizc and Tristan Thompson for the next two games.
No Buyout – J.R. Smith and the Cavaliers have until 11:59 p.m. Friday night to agree to a buyout if he's going to join a playoff contender this season. All indications point to the Cavs hanging onto Smith and attempting to trade him this offseason. He's due $15.8 million in 2019-2020, but he can be bought out for $3.8 million. Smith only played in 11 games this season for the Cavaliers, shooting 34.2 percent from the field.
Lottery Check – Even with their recent surge, the Cavaliers have the third-worst record in the NBA at 15-47. The Suns (12-5) and the Knicks (13-49) are the only two teams with worse records. Chicago has the fourth-worst record in the NBA at 17-45.
