BOSTON: While the Cavaliers are steeling themselves for another physical battle in Friday night’s Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals at TD Garden, they refused to accuse the Boston Celtics of dirty play in the opener.
Fans on Twitter reacted strongly to a third-quarter television shot that showed the Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas, who had fallen, grabbing at the ankle of Kevin Love as Love prepared to run downcourt at the 3:18 mark. Cavs coach Tyronn Lue also reacted strongly when James went down hard and came up limping with 9:47 remaining after a hard foul by Thomas as James was in midair on a layup attempt.