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How Kevin Love's return helps make for an even more dominant LeBron James

James has played two of his best games of the season since Love's return to the Cavs' lineup.
Credit: Jason Miller/Getty Images

CLEVELAND -- With just more than 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Cleveland Cavaliers' Wednesday night matchup with the Toronto Raptors, LeBron James used a George Hill screen to drive the lane, drawing three defenders in the process. Without a mere sliver of hesitation, James fired a pass to an awaiting Kevin Love, who sank a corner 3-pointer to help secure what was ultimately a 132-129 Cavs victory.

Such play wouldn't have been possible merely a week ago, as Love continued to heal from a fractured left hand, which had sidelined the All-Star forward since Jan. 30. Without Love in their lineup, the Cavs amassed a meager 11-9 record, with many of the team's detractors treating his absence as a mere footnote.

But in case anyone needed a reminder of what Cleveland is capable of with Love and LeBron on the floor, it didn't take long.

In the two games since Love returned to their lineup on Monday, the Cavs have beaten two playoff teams in Milwaukee and Toronto, scoring 124 and 132 points, respectively, in the two contests. What's more is James -- who was already playing at an MVP-caliber level in Love's absence -- has played two of his best games of the season this week, proving how important Love is to unlocking his entire sizable skill set.

Against the Bucks on Monday, James not only scored 40 points but grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 10 assists. Love, meanwhile, scored 18 points in 25 minutes, thanks in large part to a 4-of-9 shooting performance from long distance.

Credit: Troy Taormina-USA Today Sports

On Wednesday, James posted a similarly stunning stat line, with 35 points, 17 assists, 7 rebounds and no turnovers. Shooting 4-of-6 from 3-point range, Love added 23 points, in addition to pulling down 12 rebounds.

As former Cavs general manager David Griffin pointed out on Twitter, it's no coincidence that James' seemingly impossibly improved play has come following Love's return.

"@kevinlove was largely responsible for opening up the floor spacing that allowed for their creation," Griffin wrote. "Hard not to appreciate the contribution he made and his value to @KingJames specifically. They are truly symbiotic in a variety of ways. Fun to watch."

The fun should only continue in the coming weeks, particularly as the Cavs -- who were without five rotation players on Wednesday -- get back to full strength. Having been injured prior to the NBA trade deadline, Love has yet to even play alongside center Larry Nance Jr., another player who complements James' skill set with his ability to play off the ball.

Credit: Scott Galvin-USA Today Sports

In the meantime, the Cavs will have to settle for plays like the assist that led to Love's game-icing 3, which served as a microcosm of everything Cleveland's All-Star duo is capable of.

"I was just reading the defense," James said. "Knowing Serge [Ibaka's] tendencies once I turned the corner, I knew he was going to try to track me down and try to make a play at the rim if I went up there.

"Once I seen him have two eyes on me, I knew I could find Kev in that short corner and that's pretty much money."

Money, indeed.

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