CLEVELAND -- Kevin Love will start for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets after skipping two games.
He firmly denied he took the time off to deal with a back issue that has been bothering him off and on throughout the season.
"Me resting had nothing to do with my back," Love said Wednesday morning. "Coach (David Blatt) had approached me. I was playing heavy minutes and he came to me and asked if I'd sit a game or two and that's all it was."
Love, who is on pace to play the fewest minutes per game in his five seasons, missed games in December and January because of back spasms. He recently said he wanted to focus on getting his back healthy before the playoffs started.
Blatt previously said Love came to him to ask for rest. Love said Wednesday it was Blatt who came to him with the idea. Either way, Love said he thinks his five days off will have a positive effect.
"I feel good. Anytime you take a couple days and a couple games in this part of the season, you come back feeling a little bit better," Love said. "Everybody is focusing on their health; everyone wants to have a full roster come playoff time. This is my first experience going through it."
Love is averaging 16.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this season.