Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder led the Celtics with 21 points each, while Isaiah Thomas had 17. Coming off a Game 7 victory over Washington on Monday night, Boston missed 11 of its first 14 shots.

"They were the better team tonight. They hit us first and they were more physical," Thomas said. "We can't let that happen again."

Love averaged a quiet 13.8 points in the first two rounds, then broke out against a Boston team that knocked him out of the 2015 playoffs when he became tangled with Kelly Olynyk and dislocated his shoulder.

The shoulder was working just fine on Wednesday, and he scored in the paint and from the outside.

"We wanted to come in and set the tone and dictate the game. We felt like we did a good job of doing that," Love said. "It wasn't just me. Everybody was moving the ball, passing the ball well."

Things got a little testy in the third quarter when Boston's Marcus Smart and Cleveland's Thompson got nose-to-nose and had to be separated by referees. Some jawing continued briefly before James stepped in.

Tip-ins

Cavaliers: Since Game 5 of NBA finals, Cleveland has won a franchise-record 12 straight playoff games ... The Cavs hold a 33-4 playoff record against Eastern Conference opponents.

Celtics: Boston coughed up 14 turnovers and was outrebounded 32-27 ... Lost at home for the first time since Game 2 of the quarterfinal against Chicago.

No help for Crowder

One of the Celtics' issues all night was not sending help when James got into one-on-one situations.

Crowder was the primary defender on him and said that must be the top priority as they look to adjust for Game 2.

He said the help must come faster - and more often.

"He has to see bodies behind me," Crowder said.

"Obviously he got comfortable with what we were doing on the defensive end, and he had his way.

Associated Press