BOSTON -- Tempers flared Wednesday night in the second quarter of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, resulting in three technical fouls being doled out.
With 10:47 remaining in the second quarter and the Celtics leading 36-19, Boston forward Marcus Morris broke up a lob pass from LeBron James to Larry Nance Jr., tipping the ball out of bounds and causing Nance to hurtle to the floor.
While Nance was getting up, Morris appeared to stand over him and say something. Nance sprung to his feet and pushed Morris in the back. Celtics guard Terry Rozier then entered the fracas and pushed Nance, before officials broke it up and ushered both teams toward their benches.
There was a stoppage in play that lasted nearly five minutes while the referees reviewed the confrontation. Nance, Morris and Rozier all were assessed technical fouls.
Kyle Korver made the ensuing technical free throw and hit a 3 on the same possession, giving the Cavs a quick four points to halt a 9-0 run by the Celtics.
Several minutes after the Nance-Morris run-in, Celtics big man Aron Baynes appeared to get in a retaliatory hit on Nance near the half-court line and was called for a foul. Baynes was quickly subbed out by Boston coach Brad Stevens.
The Celtics won 96-83 to take a 3-2 series lead.
Morris already had established himself as an agitator earlier in the series, screaming in Cavs center Tristan Thompson's face when they were both on the floor by the stanchion following a foul.