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Jeff Green to start in place of Kevin Love in Cleveland Cavaliers' Game 7 matchup vs. Boston Celtics

All-Star forward Kevin Love will miss Game 7 of the Eastern Conference FInals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics due to concussion-like symptoms.
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

BOSTON -- With Kevin Love unavailable for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Jeff Green will start in the All-Star center's place, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue revealed at the team's shootaround Sunday morning.

After leaving Game 6 on Friday following a collision with Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Love was officially ruled out for Sunday's Game 7 on Saturday due to concussion-like symptoms.

A 10-year vet, Green appeared in 78 regular season games for the Cavs this season, averaging 10.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 23.4 minutes per game. Appearing in each of Cleveland's 17 games thus far this postseason, the 6-foot-9 forward has averaged 7.6 points on .430 percent shooting.

In Love's absence in Game 6, Green turned in one of his top performances of the 2018 playoffs. Playing in a postseason-high 31 minutes, the Georgetown product scored 14 points and recorded two blocks in Cleveland's 109-99 season-saving victory.

In explaining his decision to start Green, Lue pointed to both the defense and versatility he provides. The 31-year-old has also shown promising chemistry playing alongside LeBron James, while providing Cleveland with the ability to switch screens at nearly every position on the floor.

Game 7 between the Cavs and Celtics will tip-off from Boston's TD Garden at 8:30 p.m. ET. on Sunday night. The winner will advance to the NBA Finals to meet the winner of Monday's Game 7 matchup between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors.

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