Kevin Love didn't want to play center last night's game two matchup with the Raptors, but Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue had the last word and boy did it pay off in style!Love dropped 31 points on Toronto as Cleveland ran out impressive 128-110 winners, his second highest points total of the season. The five-time All Star, who clearly prefers playing at the four, also grabbed 11 boards to help his team secure a 2-0 lead.

Lue's thinking was shrewd as Love outmatched Jonas Valanciunas all night with speed and nimble movement in the paint and easily finding space on the perimeter. The five-time All Star shot a much improved 52.4% from the field, and took advantage of a series of matchups on screens that led to Toronto's guards defending him. 

"We had watched film that just showed that when we were running certain actions, they switch the guards on to him," Lue said in the post-game interviews. "We were having Kyle, when he sets that screen, pops back to get out and then we were able to take advantage of mismatches early.

Love and Lue had disagreed on his starting position earlier in the day, but it all worked out for the best and the former Timberwolves star gave his coach plenty of credit for his shift to the five spot. 

"Between us, there's obviously a mutual respect," the 29-year-old said."He's helped me so much as I sit here with Cleveland in the past four years. But sometimes you're going to butt heads, and I mean, my entire life and my entire pro career -- this is going to be my 10th year -- I've spent the majority of my time at the 4 position and the power forward position.

"But he sees something out there in me at the 5 spot, and I guess, especially on the offensive end when I have my game going, he wants me to take full advantage of that."

The former first round pick posted his second highest career playoff scoring total on the night, provingd that he can be an effective deputy to LeBron James, and yet again preached his loyalty to Lue and the Cavs' cause.

"I've always tried to do the best I can in, I guess, the area of willingness to sacrifice for this team, and sometimes we're going to have a little bit of pushback, and I think that's in some cases healthy," Love said. "But I respect Ty. I love Ty, and I think it's good for us. I'll do whatever it takes for this team."

The Cavs take a 2-0 lead back to Cleveland for game three on Saturday, and they'll have an outstanding chance to close out a series sweep if they can get over the line.

Whilst James continues to amaze, these kind of nights from Love are enormously helpful to their lofty ambitions. 

Listen HERE to episode two of the new GiveMeSport NBA podcast, featuring New York Times senior writer Marc Stein.

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