Kevin Love to Remain Cavs' Starting Center Despite Game 1 Struggles vs. Raptors

A rough start to the postseason from Kevin Love isn't enough for the Cleveland Cavaliers to change their starting lineup.

Head coach Tyronn Lue explained Wednesday that the surging Tristan Thompson won't get the Game 2 start despite the fact that Love finished just 3-of-13 from the field in Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com.

"Whatever is good for the team is what we're going to do," Lue said. "I think it spreads the floor out for us. [Jonas] Valanciunas is going to go to help and try to block shots. Kevin is going to have open shots all night, so, whatever is best for the team is what we're going to do."

Love averaged 17.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game this season, earning his second straight All-Star selection and fifth of his career. However, he hasn't been nearly as productive in the postseason while averaging just 10.9 points in eight games.

He is shooting 31.9 percent from the field in this stretch and especially struggled in Game 1 with just seven points to go with his 13 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas had a field day in the post with 21 points and 21 rebounds. While the Cavaliers escaped with a 113-112 overtime win, this mismatch isn't helping their cause.

This could allow Thompson to get more playing time after back-to-back double-doubles. The center tallied 29 points and 22 rebounds between the last two games, including Game 7 against the Pacers.

This is after scoring just three points in the Cavs first six playoff games, earning just 23 minutes of playing time combined. After a lost season where he set a career low with 5.8 PPG, Thompson was effectively out of the rotation but now could be an integral part of keeping the run going.

Still, Lue doesn't feel as though he should move him into the starting lineup.

"I like his impact off the bench," Lue said of Thompson on Tuesday. "Just his physicality. He changed the game with offensive rebounding, his energy. It was big for us. I just like what he's doing off the bench right now."

This means it will be up to Love to improve his level of play beginning with Game 2 on Thursday.