Love takes shot to ribs in Cavs practice

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Cavaliers All-Star forward Kevin Love was hit in the ribs Tuesday and taken out of practice as a precaution. Love was not on the court

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Cavaliers All-Star forward Kevin Love was hit in the ribs Tuesday and taken out of practice as a precaution.

Love was not on the court when media members were allowed in for the end of Cleveland's workout. Cavs coach David Blatt said Love, acquired this summer in a blockbuster trade from Minnesota, ''got banged a little bit.''

Blatt did not say how Love sustained the injury, but made it clear the six-year veteran is ''fine.''

The Cavs open the season on Thursday at home against the New York Knicks.

Love has had injury issues during his NBA career. He played in just 18 games in the 2012-13 season after twice breaking his right hand and undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his knee.

The 6-foot-10, 260-pounder averaged 25.1 points and 12.4 rebounds last season. Love's addition to a Cleveland roster featuring LeBron James and Kyrie Irving has made the Cavs a strong title contender.