NBA: Cavaliers sweep Celtics but lose Kevin Love to injury in the process

BOSTON— 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 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 five-foot-nine Thomas said. “It’s playoff basketball.”

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.

Irving had 24 points for Cleveland and Iman Shumpert added 15.

Thomas and Jared Sullinger had 21 points apiece for Boston.

The Cavs said Love would return to Cleveland and receive additional examination, imaging and evaluation at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health over the next 24 hours before his status is updated.