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NBA Rumors: Kevin Love is out for Game 7 of ECF vs. Celtics

By Michael Saenz

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 20: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates during the second half with LeBron James #23 while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 20, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Cleveland won the game 116-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 20: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates during the second half with LeBron James #23 while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 20, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Cleveland won the game 116-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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NBA Rumors: After suffering a head injury in Game 6, Kevin Love has reportedly been ruled out for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals

If LeBron James is going to make it to a 8th straight NBA Finals, he’s going to have to do it without Kevin Love at his side.

Love, who suffered a head injury (likely a concussion) during the first quarter of Game 6 against the Boston Celtics, has been ruled out for the all-important Game 7 in Boston.

If LeBron is going to make it back to the Finals, he’s going to need a performance much like the one he had in Game 6 – which leaves him with little-to-no margin for error.

LeBron posted the insane state line of 46 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in Game 6 to keep the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season alive. Although, that is going to be increasingly hard to duplicate on the road, in arguably one of the most difficult homecourts in all the NBA.

But if anyone can do it, it’s LeBron James. He has a history of coming up big when it matters the most, especially against Eastern Conference competition.

LeBron hasn’t lost an Eastern Conference playoff series since the 2009-10 NBA season. Kevin Love may only be averaging 12.5 points per game on 27 percent from 3-point range against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, but he was averaging a team-best 10 rebounds per game in the NBA playoffs.

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Even though rebounding is not the sexy stat that absurd shooting or volume scoring might be, those 10 rebounds will surely be missed. And as silly as it may sound, a few rebounds here and there could end up being the reason why the Cleveland Cavaliers end up falling short of qualifying for the NBA Finals for a fourth straight season. Kevin Love will be missed. Question is, will anyone else step up in his absence?

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