Minnesota Timberwolves fans greeted Kevin Love with an expected chorus of boos all night long on Saturday, but Love and his new Cleveland Cavaliers teammates would ultimately silence the raucous crowd in his return to the Twin Cities, 106-90.
LeBron James took it upon himself to ensure that Love got out of Minnesota with a win in his first game as the enemy, scoring 16 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter to fend off young Andrew Wiggins (33 points, 4 steals) and a feisty Wolves squad.
"It was all our responsibilities as his teammates and his brothers to protect him tonight," James said. "Throughout anything, it was the uncertainty. He didn't know what to expect. He could lean on us throughout everything that happened today and for us we just had to go out there and help him get a win."
Love finished with yet another double-double (14 points, 17 rebounds), soliciting boos on his every touch of the ball. However, especially after a heartfelt video tribute to his six seasons in Minnesota was played in the first quarter and received by heartfelt applause, Love says things went better than expected.
"Truth be told, I thought it was a pretty good reception, especially from people with familiar faces," Love said.
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