3 Cavs that have to step up with Dean Wade sidelined

No. 2: Kevin Love

Secondly, there’s Kevin Love. Love has a differing role than Wade defensively of course, and offensively, Cleveland will play through him at times, conversely from Wade.

Now like Stevens, Love made his return recently as well, as he missed Cleveland’s prior six games before their win against the Magic on Friday because of a hairline fracture in his thumb. So, there probably will be some rust from him for a bit in some games to come here, but so far, he’s been effective in how he’s been utilized.

In the past two games, Love had 11 points, 11 rebounds and three assists versus Orlando and while he struggled at New York, going two-of-seven from three and three-of-nine overall with four turnovers, he should be able to get it going again.

As he gets himself back into rhythm, fans should expect the Cavaliers to get Love his share of perimeter shooting looks from ball-swings, pick-and-pops, some transition trailing shots and off screens. And while Love isn’t the player of Wade on defense, clearly, he’s made some impactful plays as a rotator, will always be a boost for man and ball movement, and be a big help on the defensive glass. He had seven boards against the Knicks.

So factoring in the forward rotation in this sense regarding Wade being sidelined, it was meaningful to highlight Love here for the weeks/month ahead.