CLEVELAND: Kevin Love will likely have a new role when he returns from his day off. Love sat out Friday’s game against the Washington Wizards to rest, but when he returns Saturday against the Boston Celtics, he is expected to start at power forward but also get more time at center.
The Cavs inserted Iman Shumpert into the starting lineup Friday, a move that is expected to be permanent. The trend to a small ball lineup means Love is expected to replace Timofey Mozgov as the starting center as early as Saturday. The Cavs believe Love is better suited to defend centers in part because of the small ball trend sweeping the league.
Love isn’t quick enough to stay in front of the smaller, quicker power forwards, but he has proven apt at guarding centers — particularly since there aren’t many 7-footers left. As for Love’s day off Friday, the timing seemed curious because the Cavs hadn’t played a game since Monday. But coach Tyronn Lue insisted it was just a rest issue. Friday began a stretch of three games in four nights.
“Just talking to the training staff, it was the right thing to do,” Lue said. “Just from a maintenance standpoint, getting Kevin’s body right and getting him some rest. He’s been playing hard for us all year. We just thought it was the right time.”
Friday marked just the second game Love has missed this season. He sat one other night with a thigh injury.
Thanks, LeBron
Hip-hop fans can thank LeBron James for Kendrick Lamar’s new album release. James tweeted at Lamar following his Grammy performance asking for a release of the new tracks. Lamar obliged late Thursday night.
James said the two are “really close” and share a mutual friend in Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul.
“Admire each other's work and each other’s craft and even with him being all the way on the West coast and me being here, we share a lot of qualities, being around the same age,” James said. “It's great to have family like that and people that can even in different areas, not just in sports, that you can look to and hear for inspiration.”
Dribbles
The Cavaliers’ 1975-76 Miracle of Richfield team was honored at halftime Friday night. … Radio color analyst Jim Chones, who was part of that Miracle team, played the national anthem Friday night on his bass guitar. … J.R. Smith’s 144 3-pointers prior to Friday’s game rank ninth in the NBA. … LeBron James was named Eastern Conference player of the month for February. … J.R. Smith banked in a one-handed, flat-footed 3-pointer after a foul was called, so the basket didn’t count. Fans still roared in approval, prompting Smith to take a bow.
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com.