Boston ousted, Love injured
LeBron James dribbled out the final 20 seconds while players embraced as the Cavaliers completed a sweep of the Celtics.
It may have been the calmest, most congenial 20 seconds of a physical game that left two players with potentially serious injuries and Cleveland wondering if Kevin Love would be ready for the next round.
One thing is certain: Love was angry after visiting Cleveland beat Boston, 101-93, a game he left midway through the first quarter Sunday with a dislocated left shoulder.
Kelly Olynyk had his right arm entangled with Love’s left arm — a move Love called “bush league” and intentional— as both went for a loose ball.
Love grabbed his left shoulder and ran immediately to his locker room. Boston coach Brad Stevens said deliberately hurting a player is not in Olynyk’s personality.
James, who led Cleveland with 27 points, said he’s “seen a lot of tie-ups in my day, but that one looked different.”
Later, Boston’s Jae Crowder was involved in two physical plays. First, he was shoved by Kendrick Perkins and both drew technical fouls. Then he left the game with a sprained left knee when he was knocked down as J.R. Smith swung his arm backward while jostling for a rebound early in the third quarter.
Smith was ejected and faces possible suspension to start the second round. He was suspended a game in the 2013 playoffs while playing for the Knicks after elbowing Jason Terry during a victory over the Celtics.
“Things got a little chippy,” Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving said. “Game 4 was the most physical game I have ever played in.”
But Boston’s Isaiah Thomas didn’t think it was anything to complain about.
“We are all men here. We don’t need to cry,” the 5-foot-9 Thomas said. “It’s playoff basketball. You need to move forward.”
That’s just what the Cavaliers are doing after winning their first playoff series since 2010, before James left for Miami. Next up is the winner of the Chicago-Milwaukee series. The Bulls lead, 3-1.
The team said Love would return to Cleveland and receive additional examination, imaging and evaluation at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health.
The Celtics were competitive for most of the series, losing the final three games by eight points each.
“I like our progress but I like to win,” Boston coach Brad Stevens said. “So I’m disappointed.”
Other games
Wizards 125, Raptors 94: Washington emphatically completed the first sweep of a seven-game series in club history, getting 23 points from Bradley Beal and 21 points and 11 rebounds from Marcin Gortat to beat visiting Toronto.
Clippers 114, Spurs 105: Chris Paul had 34 points and seven assists and Blake Griffin added 20 points and 19 rebounds as Los Angeles beat host San Antonio to even their first-round series at two games apiece.