WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Kevin Love missed full contract drills for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday and could be sidelined when the reigning NBA champions play host to Phoenix on Thursday.
Kyle Korver, Cleveland’s newly acquired 3-point specialist, could make his first start for his new club if Love’s sore back keeps him out of the lineup against the Suns.
“He went through half the practice,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. “He’s still questionable. I’m not sure how he’s going to feel tomorrow.”
Love sat out the second half of Monday’s loss to Golden State in a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals, in which the Cavaliers rallied from 3-1 down to win the best-of-seven series with the greatest comeback in finals history.
Love has averaged 20.7 points and 10.8 rebounds for the Cavaliers over 36 games and alongside superstars LeBron James and Kyrie Irving spark the Cavaliers’ attack.
Now Korver could be getting his chance. The sharpshooter from beyond the arc is averaging 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists this season, joining the Cavaliers after a long stint with the Atlanta Hawks.
“It’s really tough when you get a new piece at this point in the season,” Lue said. “We have to find time in practice to get him up to speed.
“He will get acclimated. We have to be patient. He will get his minutes and get his shots. He will be fine.”
Korver, who jumped straight into action off the bench despite limited practice time with the Cavaliers, is happy for time to assimilate.
“It’s getting better and better,” he said. “The more time we spend together, the better the chemistry is going to be.”
Schemes that Korver has used with Atlanta have been tricky for the Cavaliers to adopt, but setting Korver into the flow with playmaker James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, has paid early dividends.
“It’s new for all of us but LeBron makes it so much easier for everybody,” Korver said. “He has a good feel for what’s going to be open, making the pass or taking the shot. He has got incredible feel for the game.”
The Cavaliers top the Eastern Conference at 29-11 while the Suns are 13-28, worst in the Western Conference and third-worst in the league.
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