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Cavs Top 3: Kevin Love dusts off his starter role to propel the Cleveland Cavaliers to a win over the Chicago Bulls

By Chad Porto

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 31: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with head coach J. B. Bickerstaff against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center on December 31, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 31: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with head coach J. B. Bickerstaff against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center on December 31, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers saw Kevin Love turn back the clock against the Chicago Bulls

Kevin Love showed everyone why he’s not done yet. The potential NBA Hall of Famer filled in for an injured Evan Mobley on New Year’s Eve, and dropped 20 points in his return to the starting lineup, and led all starters in box plus-minus on the night.

And it’s a good thing Love had the game he had, because the Cavs needed all the help they could muster, thanks in part due to a poor shooting performance from Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell is a good hand, let’s not twist the facts, but if he’s not hitting his shots then he’s a massive liability as we saw against the Bulls. Unlike a guy like Jarrett Allen, who can make up for a disappointing offensive outing by playing great defense, Mitchell can’t do that.

So if Mitchell has a bad shooting night, as he did on Saturday, and keeps taking shots away from his teammates, the offense will grind to a halt. That’s what happened to the Cavs against the Bulls, Mitchell struggled from the field, took shots away from guys like Love, Caris LeVert, and Cedi Osman, and then couldn’t really put up much resistance on defense.

It’s not a huge problem, as these nights are few and far between but these nights will be an issue every now and then.

Special shoutout to Isaac Okoro, who despite not making the Top 3 for this game, has been playing well over the last week or two and that should be acknowledged. He really helped the Cavs not miss Mobley or Darius Garland. Garland, like Mobley, missed the game due to injury.

Despite the Cavs getting out-scored in the fourth, a worrying trend we’ve seen too much of, the Cavs won 103-102.

Related Story. Cavs Top 3: Craig Ehlo at 61 could have played better perimeter defense against the Indiana Pacers. light

Cleveland Cavaliers top 3 vs. the Chicago Bulls

1 Point – Caris LeVert

37 minutes, 23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, +1 BPM
.526/.333/.000

2 Points – Cedi Osman

25 minutes, 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, +9 BPM
.571/.600/.500

3 Points – Kevin Love

34 minutes, 20 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, +3 BPM
.467/.455/1.000

Cavs Top 3 Seasonal Standings

  1. Donovan Mitchell –49 Points
  2. Darius Garland – 37 Points
  3. Evan Mobley – 28 Points
  4. Jarrett Allen – 25 points
  5. Cedi Osman – 24 Points
  6. Kevin Love – 17 Points
  7. Caris LeVert – 13 Points
  8. Isaac Okoro – 9 Points
  9. Dean Wade – 3 Points
  10. Lamar Stevens – 2 Points

Next. 3 things Ricky Rubio will be able to bring to the Cleveland Cavaliers when he returns. dark

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