4. Consistent First-Quarter Success
Love has been able to put up strong first-quarter numbers during much of his time in Cleveland. Looking at the numbers in that category for this season’s first 18 games, his field-goal shooting and 3-point success rate are near career-highs.
Presently hitting 49.4 of all his shots during the opening period, Love’s doing even better from long-range, hitting at 53.3 percent. In his three previous seasons in Minnesota, he’s had higher field-goal percentages in the first, though in 2013-14, he only managed to hit 41 percent of his 3-pointers. During his first two seasons in the league, that field-goal shooting was even better, but the problem was that the Timberwolves compiled a miserable record of 39-125 during that stretch.
From a plus-minus perspective, Love’s first-quarter numbers rank as the best of his Cavalier career. During his first season, he managed a number of 3.1 before dropping down to just 1.1 last year. However, this season, this number is flourishing at 4.1, putting him in second place among all NBA players. Love should be comfortable here, since LeBron James is at the top and Kyrie Irving is immediately below him in this category.
Next: Strength at the Charity Stripe
