Isaiah Thomas,Kevin Love

Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, left, drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love.

(Charles Krupa/Associated Press)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Things started to get chippy between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday during the third quarter of the Eastern Conference Finals Game 1.



Trailing by as many as 28 points, the Celtics cut Cleveland's lead to 15 as Tristan Thompson and Marcus Smart exchanged words after a couple of rebounding plays.



Then, with 3:18 left, Boston's Isaiah Thomas appeared to reach for Kevin Love's ankle as Love turned to run up the court after a Boston shot.



Fans on Twitter reacted strongly to images of the play, as Love had scored 20 of his 31 points in the second half.



