Kevin Love is having his best season in years for the Cavs

By the numbers

Recently, Statmuse.com shared a stat that Kevin Love’s scoring average was at 23.7 points per 36 minutes played, being his third-highest level in his career. The last year he had such a high mark was his last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves back during the 2013-14 season. He’s played 14 years in the league, and his career average in points is 17.8 a season. This year he’s averaging 14.2. His rebounding this season is his best season in the last four when you look at the “per 36 minutes” played. He’s averaging 12.1 boards.

His minutes played are the lowest of his career at 21 minutes a contest, but what he’s doing in that time can’t be undervalued. Like in this past game against the Bucks the ability to take a charge on defense and then turn around and knock down three-point shots in spurts to ignite the team is priceless. He’s been relatively healthy as well this season as he’s already played in 41 games. Last season he only managed to compete in 25 games. He hasn’t played consistently in a regular season since the Cavs’ last championship season in 2016 when he played in 77 games.

He’s shooting the three-point shot better too. He’s hitting 41 % for the season. He hasn’t been that solid percentage-wise since the 2017-18 season.

In addition, when you start analyzing his numbers in terms of “per 100 possessions”, Love’s numbers are staggering this year. He’s averaging 32.8 points. That’s again the highest total he’s had since the 2013-14 season with the Timberwolves. He’s also averaging 16.7 rebounds, the best again in four seasons.

Numbers don’t always tell the whole story but as you can see, Love’s magical resurgence is indeed backed up by the stats. But even more than that it’s the leadership and renewed spirit that is really driving this team. Let’s look at that for a moment.