This was not the way the Cleveland Cavaliers wanted to start their game in Miami, a place they haven't won at since 2010.
Just about a minute and a half into Tuesday's game, Miami’s Jordan Mickey hit Cavs forward Kevin Love with an elbow to the mouth. This was the end result:
Love was taken into the locker room after the hit, returning to the bench at the start of the 2nd quarter. The Cavs determined Love suffered a sublux front tooth. That means loose, but not displaced for those who don't have D.D.S. at the end of their name.
Miami used a huge surge at the end of the first quarter and into the 2nd to take a 20 point lead over the Cavs by halftime. At that point, the team decided Love's night was done. He finished with a point and a rebound in 7 minutes of action. The Cavs went on to lose to the Heat, 98-79.
After the game, the team gave more details as to why Love was held out for the 2nd half. Per Jason Lloyd of The Athletic:
Following the game, Love posted this tweet thanking the maker of his mouthguard.
The Cavs will play the 2nd night of a back-to-back in Charlotte on Wednesday.
