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Cavs’ Kevin Love injures shoulder against Lakers, won’t return

The Cleveland Cavaliers made quick work of the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving the purple and gold with a 120-111 loss to chew on as they head into the long All-Star break.

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LeBron James spoiled Kobe Bryant’s Cleveland finale on Wednesday as the Cavaliers cruised past the Los Angeles Lakers in a victory overshadowed by an injury to Kevin Love.

After an uneven but convincing win over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers the Cleveland Cavaliers can rest easy.

Of course, the left shoulder is the same shoulder Love injured in the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Celtics.

Love hustled off the floor to the locker room with 46.5 seconds to play in the first half, his left arm dangling to his side.

Love yelled out in pain after Bryant’s arm appeared to catch his shoulder.

He did not return but said he would be ready when the Cavs host the Chicago Bulls on Feb 18.

In the fourth period, Bryant came to life momentarily and even managed a four-point play that helped the Lakers to claw within single digits in the final six minutes of the game. According to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report, the two-time Gold Medalist might not play for the United States later this year because Bryant has worn his last red, white, and blue jersey.

“To me LeBron is still young”, Bryant said Wednesday, openly guessing that James was in his 10th season and then reacting as if he was blown away when informed that it’s indeed season No. 13 for James. For the season, he’s averaging 15.7 points, and 10.3 rebounds per contest.

Prior to the sounding of the final buzzer, Kobe checked out of the game to an ovation from the crowd, as has been customary for many of Kobe’s stops on his farewell tour. I know I would’ve got a lot of gifts. The Lakers have lost eight of nine on the road.

NOTES: Lakers F Kobe Bryant on the advice he would give Cavs F LeBron James: “Enjoy it. Enjoy the process of it all now, enjoy it when it comes.”…

“We’ve been close. We talk on the phone probably more than people know”, Bryant said.

Defense was sporadic in this one, and D’Angelo Russell and Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson all took turns hitting jump shots and forcing dumb fouls. Business related, players association related.

Take a look at the video below, and you’ll see Bryant jam Love up on the block…

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Jared Sullinger added 21 points and 11 rebounds. We communicate. For me, I was more or less just locked in trying to get the win. “When you can’t get by [defenders] as quickly in the pick and role, you have to be a lot smarter”. I didn’t care who we played. “Thirteenth?! He’s a vet – a true, true vet. To me it still seems like he’s just gotten to the league”. But the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have also put LeBron James on a pedestal, need to be careful this doesn’t happen to them to. “I think part of it is his determination and his competitive nature and being able to compete with him over my 13 years has been a treat”. James entered the night trailing Paul Pierce for 15th place on the NBA’s career scoring list….

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