Longtime NBA veteran Kevin Love is still working on his game. Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Love practices threes after Cavaliers defeat Nets

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 114-107 Monday afternoon to win their fifth straight game and improve to 27-18 overall, but Cleveland forward Kevin Love did not have his best shooting performance of the season. Love tallied 14 points but made just one of four attempts from beyond the arc, and the one-time champion responded by practicing his threes shortly after the contest: 

The Cavs continue to be one of the positive surprises, to date, of the NBA campaign and have locked coach J.B. Bickerstaff and general manager Koby Altman down via long-term extensions. Brooklyn, meanwhile, was without superstar Kevin Durant, who is sidelined with a left knee injury. 

"It's a signature win for us against a high-level team," Bickerstaff told reporters after the victory that followed Cleveland winning five of six away contests, according to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "Obviously with reasons why and excuses coming back off that long road trip and all those things, playing against two of the most elite players in our league, and our guys figuring out a way.

"To me, the most impressive thing is you hold a team like that to 19 points in the fourth quarter."

Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving, who helped the Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals alongside Love, remarked the Nets cannot simply replace a key asset such as Durant. 

"It's impossible. We just faced that reality right now," Irving said. 

The Cavs next play at the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, while Brooklyn will be at the Washington Wizards that same evening. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Guardians trade for two pitchers to round out Opening Day roster
Timberwolves make major decision regarding ownership
MLB, MLBPA make decision on Rays' All-Star SS
Yankees reporter critiques team for 'crazy idea' regarding star slugger
Browns GM names player he wants to 'retain as long as possible'
Watch: Ref blows crucial foul call, costs 76ers chance to spoil James Harden's return
Elly De La Cruz surprises fans with latest interview
Shaquille O’Neal takes brutal shot at Nets’ Ben Simmons
NBA outlines reason behind Draymond Green's latest ejection
Watch: Rockets player trolls Warriors after 10th straight win
Sweet Carolina! Panthers bring home former No. 1 overall pick
Dodgers signing catcher to 10-year extension
Insider shares major update on return of 76ers' Joel Embiid
Watch: Draymond Green’s ejection leaves Stephen Curry dejected
UConn HC Dan Hurley delivers hilarious transfer portal analogy
Did Jim Harbaugh tip his hand about what Chargers will do with No. 5 pick?
Eagles' Saquon Barkley opens up about unexpected feud with Giants legend
Lions re-sign career backup QB
Jets' Robert Saleh, Woody Johnson had 'heated conversation' at owners meetings?
Mets release power-hitting first baseman

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.