CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For the second consecutive playoff game, Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Kevin Love got off to a sizzling start in the first quarter, scoring 10 points on 3-of-3 from the field.

This time, he wasn't quiet for the remainder of the game, leading an exuberant two-minute surge late in the third period to help the Cavaliers gain control of Game 2 of the NBA first-round playoff series.

Posting up Indiana's chatty Lance Stephenson repeatedly, Love bullied his way in the paint and earned frequent trips to the free-throw line. Love went on a personal 10-0 run to extend Cleveland's edge to a game-high 19 points, the kind of cushion they needed given their fourth-quarter woes showed up once again.

"The guys that were out there were finding me," Love said. "Just got into a good rhythm with that. It was just a moment we took advantage of a certain situation."

During the third-quarter stretch, Love also mixed in a defensive gem, drawing a charge against Pacers backup center Kevin Seraphin, which caused the Cavs bench to erupt in celebration.

Love had attempted to take two charges earlier in the game, one of which led to a LeBron James technical foul while arguing with the officials. But at the 2:10 mark of the third, Love finally got the benefit of the whistle.

"Just want to help my teammates out, sacrifice my body and felt like I did that tonight whether it got called or not I feel like it set the tone for the rest of the team and more than anything a selfless act and giving your body up," Love said. "Hoping it goes the right way. Thought some of those could've gone either way, especially I try to look up and see the play after it happens to try and get the crowd involved and reaction out of it, but felt like eventually if I kept getting there and giving up my body then something would go my way."

As is often the case for the Cavs, the quality offense seemed to spark the defense, as the Cavs outscored the Pacers, 33-20, in the pivotal third period.

Before Monday's game, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue talked about the challenge of keeping Love involved throughout because of the abundance of scoring options on the roster.

Against Indiana, there was a concerted effort to exploit Love's mismatch against the foul-prone Stephenson, and it led to the team's best quarter of the series.

Love finished with 27 points on 6-of-7 from the field, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. He also was 12-of-12 from the free-throw line, capping his performance with two key freebies with 17.5 remaining to once again give the Cavs a two-possession lead while Indiana was storming back late.

He also added 11 rebounds, his first double-double this postseason.

Earlier this season, following an embarrassing loss on the road against the San Antonio Spurs, veteran James Jones spoke about the need for Cleveland's Big Three to be great in order for the Cavs to repeat. There have been times when Love has faded into the background. Not Monday.

Cleveland needed more than just LeBron James (25 points) and Kyrie Irving (37 points) against the feisty Pacers. They needed Love to play like an All-Star and make Indiana pay for its defensive strategy.

Love answered the call. He showed the difference between the Cavs and other East squads. Some teams have one All-Star. Others may have two. But no other East contender has three, which is why despite the drama and issues that still need fixed, the Cavs are favored to return to the NBA Finals.