Kevin Love has completed the NBA’s Concussion Return to Play Program and will be available to play on Thursday night in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals, the Cavaliers announced today in a press release.
It’s big news for the Cavaliers, who had been without Love since he exited Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Boston and entered the NBA’s concussion protocol. During this year’s playoffs, the veteran power forward has been Cleveland’s second-leading scorer (13.9) and top rebounder (10.0 RPG).
It’s not clear how many minutes Love might play in Game 1, but I’d expect him to start alongside LeBron James and Tristan Thompson in the frontcourt. Head coach Tyronn Lue may get creative as he determines how best to match up with the defending-champion Warriors, but indicated on Wednesday that Love would start if he’s healthy.
While the Cavaliers will get Love back in their lineup, the Warriors will be without key forward Andre Iguodala for Game 1. Iguodala, who continues to battle a lateral left leg contusion, will be re-evaluated prior to Game 2.
Hopefully Lebron stays man, Kevin Love has been a class act on the Cavs and has stuck by LBJ the whole time. It’s going to take an astronomical effort for them to pull off the upset and of course contributions from Clarkson and Nance Jr. One thing I would point out is this team being better built around Lebron plus their bench was absolute trash last Finals, they are a deeper team this time around and more athletic also. They’ll be able to switch a lot better, the series will come down to how well Lebron will be on defense and can JR and Korver slow Klay down.
Please tell me what drugs you’re taking cause man it must be good. No one wants the Warriors to lose more than me, everything about them is annoying especially their “fans”. But if we’re being honest the Cavs have maybe 20% chance to win the series even if everyone on the roster plays insane. We’re talking about a Cavs team that almost got eliminated by a young Celtics team without their 2 best players, I just don’t see how they can compete with an expierenced mostly healthy Warriors team. Warriors in 5 or 6.
This team is better than last year’s team? Crazy. They were far better off with Kyrie.
Now, this version is better than the version that started the year, sure. More athletic and not as old but no way are they better than last year’s Cavs.
I believe they are. They are more athletic and have a deeper bench. This team is better built around Lebron than last year’s team.
Clarkson, Hood, and Nance have done zilch in the playoffs. Derrick Rose and Crowder and Isaiah Thomas might have given them something. It was a good gamble because they got younger but I’m disappointed in the new guys.
Guess the dionis Lebron destination wheel landed on the Cavs today
When you’re depending on JR Smith and Korver to do something, that should be the first indicator that the team will be swept.
The series will come down to if JR and Korver can slow down Klay? Come on now man..Korver can’t slow down anyone defensively. This series will come down to how well players not named LeBron play. Cavs are average at best defensively so those role players better be able to put the ball in the bucket. KD proved last year he can match LeBron point for point. Cavs just don’t have anyone to keep pace with Curry and Klay. Warriors in 5.
Remember what ex-GM Griffin, said the reason for the Kyrie trade wasn’t him wanting to leave, but Lebron not needing him, he’s not a good PG, is only a score first PG, he wants to be the man, but he cannot score more or better (more efficiently than Lebron) hence why I wouldn’t be sure they aren’t better than last years, at least withou KI are more of a team. I am hoping Lebron can do once more the superman & win one more ring.
LeBron does everything for them now and I think he’s just going to wear out. He’s incredible but he can’t go one on five for 45 minutes X 6 games, 7 games. I just think he’ll wear down, the jumpers will stop falling and that’ll be the end of it.
Just saw gm1. Everyone switching everything makes the GSW D different (worse). Iso offense making a comeback due to finding the weak defender. Unfortunately GSW thought that would be Love. Got away with one, hey refs
Hey refs? How about hey JR? Or hey Hill? Blame the refs all you want but the Cavs has every chance to win that game in the last 5 seconds and blew it. As soon as OT hit they got smoked.