J.R. Smith ejected in Game 4; Kendrick Perkins, Jae Crowder scuffle

Cleveland Cavaliers center Kendrick Perkins shoved Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder during Sunday's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference opening-round playoffs, but no players were ejected.

After Cleveland Cavaliers center Kendrick Perkins shoved Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder during Sunday's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference opening-round playoffs, Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith was ejected in the second half for swinging at Crowder while boxing out.

The first play involving Perkins and Crowder happened with just under two minutes remaining in the first half. As Crowder was defending Cavaliers forward LeBron James high above the three-point arc, Perkins came up to set a screen. When he reached Crowder, Perkins appeared to level him with a two-handed shove. Celtics forward Jared Sullinger pulled Crowder away from the play, while officials and players from both teams pushed Perkins away from the play.

Perkins was assessed a flagrant-1 for the screen, and both he and Crowder were assessed technical fouls.

[youtube:https://youtu.be/0vYKhll04cQ]

• Grizzlies' Mike Conley hospitalized with head injury in Game 3

At the 10:23 mark in the third quarter, Smith was assessed a flagrant-2 and automatically ejected for swinging at Crowder while boxing out.

• Stephen Curry-led Warriors too much for Anthony Davis, Pelicans in sweep

Earlier, Cavaliers forward Kevin Lovesuffered an apparent shoulder injury after he was tangled up with Celtics center Kelly Olynyk. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

- Mike Fiammetta