2 sets of studly highlights for Cavs as a group in bashing of the Rockets

Kevin Love goes for 15 points in 15 minutes

Can we all give another round of applause for the old timer on the team in Kevin Love? He has found his game again as the Cavaliers new bench go-to scorer and he has embraced the role like no other. In a limited role of 15 minutes last night, he threw in 15 points, six rebounds and another block. He’s moving with a new sense of purpose out there on the court and it’s fun to watch.

He and his teammate, Ricky Rubio, both of whom once upon a time played hoops together with the Minnesota Timberwolves, looked like a match made in heaven during stretches of the game. In one sequence Rubio and Love played a two-man game against the Rockets team, where both were getting the ball, dishing it back and then cutting through the defense a second time and finally able to draw contact on a shot attempt by Love on a pump fake going up to the rim. These two look like they are playing hoops down on the playground and just enjoying the game on a hot Saturday afternoon in the city.

A shoutout to the kid from Kansas, Dean Wade

With Evan Mobley sidelined, Cleveland went to forward Dean Wade for the start and the hometown hero of St. John, Kansas continued his impressive season with solid defense and he even got into the fun offensive show the team was putting on in the game. Wade finished with a double-double on 16 points and 10 rebounds. He led the team in rebounds for the evening.

Wade had been injured back in late November with a minor leg injury. He had been starting several games prior to that when the Cavaliers were without some other key big men because of their own injuries or from COVID-19 health and safety protocols. His defense was getting recognition at that point and he helped steady the ship when the team needed him.

He showed up again in this game and provided all those things a team needs to win. His defense is some of the best on the team and him adding some offense in the game against the Rockets was an added bonus.

He had been out of the eight or nine-man rotation that Cleveland has been running ever since he returned from his injury, so it was nice to see the Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff give him the green light in the game. Hopefully, this will get Wade some more consistent minutes.

All in all, not a bad night on the court for the Cavaliers. More nights like this, and the one stud and one dud will be more difficult to select, which is never a bad thing.