CLEVELAND, Ohio – Kevin Love is apparently not interested in refueling.
One night it would have been better if the Cleveland Cavaliers lost, retaining their place near the end of the NBA rankings and increasing their lottery odds. Boston Celtics, 102-94, on the fan rating night.
After a game, after resting her aching calf, Love seemed fresh and motivated. He threw the highest 30 points of the season, throwing 10 out of the field to 16 and 9 out of 3 in the 3-point range. This is the first time since February 3, 2020, it has reached the 30-point mark. Love also added a high-demand 14 rebounds, and with 39.3 seconds left, took the game out into a cavalcade of fives.
“I just definitely wanted to win at home before the season ended,” Love said. “Before the game, I talked to Larry (Nance Jr.) and a few more people, and all I said was, ‘I don’t want to feel like I’m coming into the locker room, my head is down and I’m angry about a loss.’ Because they accumulate and sometimes you get lost in this. Sometimes anger, sometimes heartache, and I didn’t want to feel it. That’s why I smiled out there. It was a good feeling. Of course, it feels good to hit a lot of 3s, move the ball, play well, bounce back. I think that’s definitely added, too. Winning is definitely more fun. “
Love has experienced a lot this season. There are those who cause themselves, there are those who cannot be controlled. Injuries. Loss of streaks. Growing pains. Anger. Shooting battles. He took this frustration out to the Celtics.
As the hour began to run out, his teammates could feel what that night meant. Eventually he had reason to smile again.
“It wasn’t him himself (recently) and he was trying to find his rhythm and its ups and downs, and he wanted to help the team in every way possible,” Bickerstaff said. – He was able to do that tonight. He could see his love, the joy on his face, he could see his teammates treating him and supporting him, so it was a great time. “
Not sure everybody appreciated this performance.
Cleveland entered the night of the three teams with 21 wins – the third lowest in the NBA overall. Had it ended like this by the end of the regular season, there would have been a blind draw between the 21 winning teams to find out who would finish third in the lottery and whether he shared the best chances for the required No. 1 choice for reconstruction progress. Instead, winning reduces their number one odds by about five percent, while their best 4-choice odds fell eight points.
Collin Sexton gave 28 points from 7/15 to the field, 1/2 from the 3-point range and 13/16 from the foul, with eight assists and two rebounds. Rookie Isaac Okoro also scored double, scoring 15 goals with six assists and six rebounds.
“At the end of the day, we just go out there and play hard. We want to win. None of us in the organization, the team, wants to lose, ”Sexton said in response to those who say it’s better for the team to lose at this stage of the season. “At the end of the day, we are not losers. We didn’t get here because we were losers. We want to win and we’re going to go out and fight every single match. We’re not really worried about what people have to say. We just keep fighting and we just keep improving. It’s just speech.
With Boston missing Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart, the Cavs led the first half. But with a back-and-forth third quarter that featured 13 leadership changes and seven draws in those 12 minutes, the Cavs were two behind the fourth quarter.
This time Cleveland did not fly. They stopped critically in defense and scored timely buckets for Love and Sexton, who combined 21 of the team’s 35 points in the fourth quarter. The Cavs sent it nicely to the fans of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and they gave the favor back with a big round of applause. It had to be celebrated for the first time in weeks. Well, except for the more ping-pong balls.
In just over a month, we’ll see what that means in the end. On Wednesday, this meant one last home victory.
Thank you.
Hello again
Tristan Thompson missed the two teams ’first meeting due to the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. It was his first match since he was contracted to Celtics as an unlimited free agent. During the first shutdown, Thompson, who spent his first nine years at the Cavs, saluted in the crowd, joked with his old teammates, and watched the video game respect. Thompson scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
– Great man. He’s a great teammate, ”said Bickerstaff, who admired Thompson’s leadership and work ethic. “Heritage here speaks for itself. A guy this town has obviously embraced as part of the rebuilding all the way to the league. He was there all the way. His style is respected and appreciated. “
Farewell
Anderson Varejao, a fan favorite who spent 12 seasons in Cleveland and returned with a 10-day contract earlier this month, played his last home game. Shortly after Varejao signed up for the first quarter action, the Cavs paid tribute to the video, thanking Varejao for his memories of his memorable career. Varejao preserved an 18-foot leg facing up and made a rotating, swirling layout, scoring four points in his farewell in three minutes.
Following
The Cavs will play in the last two games of the regular season, with the first game being played against the Washington Wizards on Friday night. The tip is set to 19 hours
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New Cavs face mask for sale: Here you can purchase a Cleveland Cavaliers-themed face mask for protection against the coronavirus, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and 3 packs ($ 24.99). All proceeds from the NBA went to charity.
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