Kevin Love suffers left thigh bruise, hopes to play Saturday vs. Pelicans

Kevin Love must hate playing the Boston Celtics.

Love sustained a left thigh bruise in the third quarter of Friday's game bumping into Celtics guard Marcus Smart.

The Cavaliers' star forward immediately went down in a heap along the baseline after crashing into Smart. He was helped off the court by trainers before eventually heading to the locker room under his own power. He did not return.

Love had 10 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes before exiting. His team would eventually lose on a buzzer-beater from Avery Bradley.

After the game, Love sounded optimistic about his injury. He characterized his ailment as "dead leg" and said he hopes to play in Saturday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

During last season's playoff matchup with the Celtics, Love sustained a separated shoulder after getting tangled up with Kelly Olynyk. The injury sidelined Love for the remainder of the Cavaliers' Finals run.

On the season, the Cavaliers are 9.6 points per 100 possessions improved with Love on the court. His ability to spread the floor is crucial to the success of Cleveland's attack.

The Cavaliers elected to downsize with LeBron James at power forward in Love's absence during Friday's game.