DETROIT — Kevin Love scored 15 points for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night against the Pistons after the star forward missed the season opener with a calf injury.
Love had been sidelined since the team’s first exhibition game against Indiana on Dec. 12, when he got kicked in the calf. Love said his leg was swollen from his knee to the Achilles tendon.
He wanted to play in Wednesday’s game against Charlotte, but the team decided that two more days of rest would be beneficial.
The 32-year-old five-time All-Star said he “feels great” but knows he would struggle with his conditioning early on.
Cleveland’s first road game marked center Andre Drummond‘s return to Detroit. Drummond was traded to the Cavaliers in February after seven seasons with the Pistons. He made two All-Star teams while with Detroit.
Drummond had 23 points and 16 rebounds as the Cavaliers beat Detroit 128-119 in two overtimes.
The Associated Press contributes to this report.
