Cleveland Cavaliers: Drake, Kevin Love, LeBron James Game 1 reaction

Game 1 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Raptors had it all: A LeBron James triple-double. Kevin Love futility, plus antics from Drake.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had no business taking Game 1 from the Toronto Raptors, but LeBron James and company stole home court, sending the Raptors into panic mode in the process.

Yet it was far from a perfect game for the Cavs, as Cleveland trailed by 14 at one point in the first half.

1. Offensively, Kevin Love is lost at center. He was brutalized in the low post by Jonas Valanciunas.. He’s relegated to a guy who hangs outside the wing.

This is supposed to be the Cavs second best player. An All-Star!

Is it against the rules for Ty Lue to run a play for Love from the elbow? I know 2-pointers are the fashionable thing in today’s NBA, but a good coach would put his player in a position to succeed.

Lue seems unwilling to change, but geesh. Love was beast on the elbow during his days with the Timberwolves and now that Kyrie Irving isn’t around, Lue should figure out a way to cultivate his second option.

Love grabbed 13 rebounds,  but was 3-of-13, tallying seven points.

2. Drake went into the Cavs’ tunnel looking for Kendrick Perkins.

Drake, I spend most of days yelling at clouds, and couldn’t name one song you’ve recorded, but you look like dufus poser trying to interject yourself into this series by picking a fight with a guy who doesn’t even play.

Here’s the exchange between Drake and Perkins, via The Toronto Star.

"“Drake was yelling through the curtain leading to the Cleveland locker room and being restrained by his security; Kendrick Perkins, the looming grumpy Cavaliers backup centre and practical mascot was down there, and the two had jawed angrily at halftime and after the game. Drake was yelling, ‘Go get your boy, I’m here in real life.’ He was hustled away. Nobody came.”"

Way to show panic, Drake, and it’s only Game 1.

3. The trade trio of Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr. and Rodney Hood are leaving a lot to be desired. Hood was 1-of-5 from the floor in Game 1. He shooting 14 percent from beyond the arc this postseason.

Nance has been replaced by Tristan Thompson in the rotation, and that’s OK. Remember that huge contract Dan Gilbert handed to Tristan? He earned a good chunk of if destroying Valencunas in the playoffs, coming up with offensive rebound after offensive rebound.

Jordan Clarkson isn’t fairing much better in his first trip to the postseason. The former Laker is shooting 32 percent from the field, and 19 percent from 3-point range. Ugly.

Luckily, there’s Kyle Korver, who shot the ball more times than he has in over 10 years. With 19 attempts, Korver kept firing on the Raptors, and he was good for 19 points. He’s shotting 40 percent from 3-point range, including 35 percent from the corner.

The 3-point bomber has been the Cavs’ second best player this postseason.

4. LeBron James recorded another triple-double, but The King may be tiring. Ty Lue was obviously worried about LeBron’s minutes, resting him with about 3:30 to go in the first quarter.

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LeBron’s legs didn’t look fresh from the onset. He was 3-of-15 from the field after halftime, including 3-for-11 in the fourth. James didn’t even score in overtime. Overall, he was 12-for-30 from the field for 26 points. He added 13 assists and 11 rebounds.