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Kevin Love’s beef apparently isn’t with the Cavaliers — but the same can’t be said for the refs after Cleveland’s 112-96 loss Monday night to the Raptors.

In a play that’s since gone viral, Love angrily and carelessly pushed a pass inbounds that was stolen and ultimately ended with a wide-open 3-pointer by Toronto’s Malachi Flynn. Love’s turnover set the stage for a nine-point Raptors lead at the end of the third quarter.

Love’s uncharacteristic move led fans and critics alike to assume he had thrown in the towel with 11 games left in the regular season.

However, Love’s lazy inbounds pass was a direct result of his frustration with officials on a previous play — and not his team’s performance, according to Yahoo Sports.

Following a layup by the Raptors, Love was shoved in the back and ran into the stanchion — and instead of making a foul call, official Brandon Schwab tossed the ball to Love to inbound it, which irritated Love, causing him to spike the ball, sources told the outlet. Players reportedly had issues with the lack of consistency in calls.


  Cavaliers forward Kevin Love drives around Raptors forward OG Anunoby on April 26, 2021. AP Cavaliers forward Kevin Love drives around Raptors forward OG Anunoby on April 26, 2021. AP

The Cavs plan to address the incident internally, Yahoo Sports reported. It’s unclear if the team will fine the 32-year-old veteran.

Love, who did not play in the fourth quarter and did not address the media after the game, has since apologized to his teammates.

“We talked about it… and we’ll move on,” Cavaliers coach Bernie Bickerstaff said.

Love is in the second year of a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the Cavs, who are in the midst of a major rebuild.

The incident has certainly raised eyebrows about Love’s future in Cleveland.

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