Kevin Love looks like his prime self in Cavs Top 3 following Heat victory

Kevin Love and the Cavs rolled a short-handed Miami Heat on Wednesday.

The Cavs got to roll back the clock on Wednesday night, as Kevin Love and the Cavs dominated the Miami Heat for a majority of the game, winning 111-85. The Heat, a tough team, was without Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, and Victor Oladipo (who hasn’t played for the Heat yet this season) and couldn’t keep up with the Cavs fast-paced offense or staunch defense.

Can’t remember the last time those words were stated.

The Cavs played a near-perfect game, and thanks to a good bench this year, the team isn’t finding themselves getting gassed like they were last season.  The Cavs are now 12-10 on the season.

Now, onto the Top 3. As always, the bottom is in descending order with the lowest number being the worst and the top is in ascending order with three being the best.

The Top 3 from the back-breaking win against the Mavericks

The Bottom Three Performers

1. Lamar Stevens
2. Lauri Markkanen
3. Even Mobley

Lamar Stevens takes home the top spot tonight. He had a nice showing in the box score but his defense against the Heat was lacking a bit. No Cavaliers player truly played bad, it’s one of those games where the least impressive, not necessarily the problematic, are going to be on this side of the list. Stevens just wasn’t as good defensively as others.

When Lauri Markkanen isn’t involved offensively, it’s not that big of a problem considering the Cavs are no longer dependent on Collin Sexton being the only source of offense. Markkanen’s defense is also much improved, however, he didn’t have the same impact as others, so, here he is.

It’s hard to ever put Evan Mobley on this side of things with how good he regularly is. It’s because the team is so good, and his teammates so efficient, that he finds himself on here. It’s not because he’s bad, it’s because the rest of the team is so much better in that one specific game.

The Top Three Performers

1. Darius Garland
2. Jarrett Allen
3. Kevin Love

I mean, come on; 16 points, seven assists, 50% from three, a box +/- of +23. Of course, Garland gets the first point, he was awesome and he did it against a staunch defender in Kyle Lowry.

The two points on the night go to Jarrett Allen, 19 points, 11 rebounds, only missed one shot all game, and had a box +/- of +26. Allen has become a dominating presence down low, and playing next to Mobley has only improved him.

Lastly and getting the three points for the night, is Kevin Love. Love turned back the clock, dropping 22 points, six rebounds, and three assists, with two steals and a block all to his name. He did all that 6-9 shooting, with all six of his makes coming from three-point. He finished with a box +/- of +29.

Yearly Standing:

1. Jarrett Allen (27 points)
2. Ricky Rubio (22 points)
3. Darius Garland (21 points)
4. *TIE* Lauri Markkanen/Cedi Osman(14 points)
5. *Tie* Kevin Love/Evan Mobley (12 points)
6. Dean Wade (3 points)
7. *TIE* Isaac Okoro/Dylan Windler (1 point)