NBA playoff openers winners, losers: Kings, Knicks, Lakers shine
The NBA playoffs opened Saturday and Sunday with aggressive video games, upsets, nice – and stunning – particular person and group performances and worrisome accidents to key gamers.
The decrease seed received 4 of eight Recreation 1s, together with the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers beating the Memphis Grizzlies, the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention.
Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox, a favourite to win Clutch Participant of the Yr, scored 38 factors in his first playoff recreation, a Kings victory over the Golden State Warriors.
And accidents are already a menace with Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Memphis’ Ja Morant and Miami’s Tyler Herro exiting video games and never returning with accidents.
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Listed here are the Recreation 1 winners and losers of the weekend:
Winners
► Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers
Leonard had a game-high 38 factors on 13-for-25 capturing within the Clippers’ win in opposition to the Phoenix Suns, and whereas Westbrook was simply 3-for-19 from the sector, he was an element elsewhere with 10 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and two steals. He had key offensive rebounds and defensive stops within the last minutes.
► Jimmy Butler, Miami Warmth
He’s Playoff Jimmy for a motive. He brings it – win or lose – on a regular basis and particularly within the postseason. Butler had 35 factors, 11 assists, 5 rebounds and three steals in Miami’s 130-117 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Tyler Herro’s damaged proper hand sapped some sweetness from the win.
► Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Brunson lifted the Knicks to a 101-97 highway victory in opposition to Cleveland, scoring 21 of his 27 factors within the second half – 12 within the third and 9 of New York’s last 14 factors within the fourth. The Cavs did not include Brunson, who received to his spots and had entry to his offensive abilities.
► Sacramento Kings
Sacramento has a subdivision of winners from its 126-123 victory over the Golden State Warriors:
— The Kings, for the primary playoff victory since beating the San Antonio Spurs in a six-game sequence in 2006.
— De’Aaron Fox, for scoring a game-high 38 factors, together with 29 within the second half and 15 within the fourth quarter. Fox confirmed why he’s legit candidate to make All-NBA.
— Malik Monk, for scoring 32 factors off the bench, whereas capturing 8-for-13 from the sector and 14-for-14 from the free throw line. Monk wasn’t a finalist for Sixth Man of the Yr, however he belongs within the dialog.
► James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia’s success is determined by All-Star Joel Embiid’s efficiency. Nonetheless, the Sixers’ outlook turns extra favorable when Harden performed like he did of their 121-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets: 23 factors (7-for-13 on 3s) and 13 assists. Harden wants these sorts of video games if Philadelphia goes to succeed in the convention finals for the primary time since 2001.
► Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
The Atlanta Hawks had no solutions for Tatum and Brown in Boston’s 112-99 victory. Brown had 29 factors and 12 rebounds, Tatum had 25 factors and 11 rebounds they usually shot a mixed 22-for-46 from the sector. Utilizing a small-ball lineup and spreading the court docket – generally with 5 gamers on the perimeter – Tatum and Brown had loads of area to create for themselves or others.
► Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
Hachimura scored a playoff career-high 29 factors (5-for-6 on 3-pointers) with 21 coming within the second half – together with 12 within the third quarter – of the Lakers’ 128-112 victory in opposition to Memphis. Reaves had 23 factors – 9 consecutive factors when the Lakers started to drag away from the Grizzlies late within the fourth quarter.
Losers
► Phoenix Suns
The Suns wasted robust performances from Kevin Durant (27 factors, 11 assists, 9 rebounds), Devin Booker (26 factors) and Torrey Craig (22 factors), and their bench was outscored 34-10 at dwelling.
► Trae Younger, Atlanta Hawks
Younger had simply 16 factors on 5-for-18 capturing, together with 1-for-5 on 3s. His eight assists had been tempered by 5 turnovers. Whereas single-game plus-minus might be deceptive, the Hawks had been outscored by 14 factors with Younger on the court docket in opposition to the Celtics.
► Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland want offensive assist. Mobley had simply eight factors on 4-for-13 capturing. He had 11 rebounds, together with 5 offensive, however extra factors and higher effectivity are vital. Missing depth, the Cavs depend on Mobley, they usually can’t lose Recreation 2 at dwelling.
► Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies misplaced home-court benefit in opposition to the Lakers. Making issues worse, star guard Ja Morant injured his proper hand within the fourth quarter and didn’t return to the sport. Morant instructed reporters his standing for Recreation 2 was in jeopardy.
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