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 will 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 because of 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.

“I have no doubt in my mind that he did it on purpose,” Love said. “Olynyk was in a compromising position, had no chance to get the ball, and it was just too bad that he would go to those lengths to take somebody out of a game.”

Boston Coach Brad Stevens didn’t think Olynyk hurt Love on purpose.

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“That’s not the type of person he is,” Stevens said. “I hope Kevin’s OK to play, whenever they play next, because you want everybody out there to finish the game.”

James, who led Cleveland with 27 points, said he’s “seen a lot of tie-ups in my day, but that one looked different.”

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

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 for one 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.”

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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.

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

Thomas and Jared Sullinger scored 21 points apiece for Boston.

The Cavaliers led 57-36 at halftime even though James missed eight of 12 shots.

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The Celtics were competitive for most of the series, losing the last three games by eight points each.

“I like our progress, but I like to win,” Stevens said. “So I’m disappointed.”

The Celtics outscored the Cavaliers 25-13 in the third quarter to cut the lead to 70-61. And when Smith was ejected, Boston became more aggressive, scoring the next six points, while Cleveland missed 16 of 20 shots in the quarter.

The Cavaliers led 99-89 with 44 seconds left, but the Celtics didn’t give up. Thomas hit a layup then, while out of bounds, grabbed James, who was trying to inbound the ball. No call was made – Cleveland Coach David Blatt said it should have been a technical – and the Cavaliers committed a foul when the ball was put in play.

Avery Bradley sank the two free throws to cut the lead to six, and Cleveland’s next inbounds pass went out of bounds off Irving. But Gigi Datome missed a 3-pointer before Irving was fouled and made two shots.

The sweep was the Cavaliers’ first since 2009, when they did it against Detroit and Atlanta before losing to Orlando in six games in the Eastern Conference finals.

“We have some vets, but we’re a young team together,” James said. “The Celtics gave us the test that we needed.”

For the Celtics, it was a swift end to a rebuilding season that lasted longer than expected. They had 15-win increase over the previous season, and they have reason for optimism with four draft picks this year and the potential of four first-rounders next year.

NOTES: James is 20-2 in his last 22 first-round games. … Thomas missed his first 10 shots after missing 7 of 9 in Game 3. He finally connected with 5:21 left in the third quarter – Boston’s first 3-pointer after 11 misses.


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