In the Cavaliers' 108-104 win over the Pacers, Cavaliers veteran Kevin Love came off the bench for 29 minutes, shooting 6-of-13 from the field and 3-of-6 from three-point range, scoring 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal! Mobley 24+9, Allen 18+11! Love has scored 20+ in five consecutive games, the first time he has seen such a performance in the last four seasons.
Take a look at Love's first four performances: Dec. 27 to play the Raptors, 7-of-12 from 12, 6-of-9 from three-point range to 22+9; the Pelicans on Dec. 29, 7-of-14 from 14 and 7-of-12 from three-point range to 24+4; the Wizards on Dec. 31, 7-of-15 from 15, 4-of-10 from three-point range to 24+11; the Hawks on Jan. 11, 10-of-18, and 7-of-14 from 3-pointers to 35+11.
Against the Hawks, Love scored 35 points, his first 30+ since James left the Cavaliers in 2018 and the fourth highest score of his Career. In addition, Love made 57 three-pointers throughout December, setting a record for the number of three-pointers in a single month in Cavaliers history.
So far this season, Love has played 29 games for the Cavaliers, with only two starts. He has averaged 14.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season, shooting 44.9 percent from the field, 43.1 percent from three-point range and 90.7 percent from the free throws. His average three-point shooting (2.7), three-point shooting and free throw shooting per game are career highs!
LeFour's current contract is $120 million for 4 years, which expires in the summer of 2023, and he is on $31.26 million this season. From the beginning of the 2019-20 season, the Cavaliers began to peddle Love, just no team was willing to take over his big contract. If the Cavaliers are willing to buy out Love, multiple teams are willing to sign him on a base salary contract.
In the past three seasons, Love has played only 103 games and taken $84.32 million from the Cavaliers. In January 2020, after a training session, Luck shouted in front of the whole team: "I don't have any feelings here!" "Unable to trade out and not wanting to stay, Love's move caused some Cavaliers fans to resent: it's not as good as retiring in place!
The Cavaliers did not want to buy out Love, they wanted to develop young players and persuade Love to accept the status of substitute. From January 2020 to January 2022, The mentality of Lefu has changed: more money, less life, why not enjoy it? Now the Cavaliers are full of talent inside: Mobley and Allen can defend, and Love can focus on what he does best.
In particular, Tanhuaxiu Mobly, a 20-year-old guy who has averaged 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.8 blocks per game this season. Shooting 50.6 percent from the field, 31.8 percent from three-point range and 75.6 percent from the free throws. In the last 4 games, he has scored 20+ in 3 games. As he missed two weeks of games, he also slipped to third place on the rookie list.
With Mobley winning the Rookie of the Year trophy, teammates such as Allen and Love all applauding and cheering for their little brothers, which may be the best atmosphere in the Cavaliers in recent years. Luck said: "The Cavaliers are in good shape right now and everyone is enjoying the game. It's a joy to watch this young team grow. ”
The Cavaliers are currently 21-16 and firmly fifth in the East. Sexton and Rubio have been reimbursed for the season, and the Cavaliers have reached a deal with the Lakers to get another experienced point guard, Rondo. This season's Cavaliers, it's worth looking forward to!