22.04.2024
Boston Celtics 114 - 94 Miami Heat
Jayson Tatum recorded his first career playoff triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead the Boston Celtics to a 114-94 victory over the Miami Heat in the playoff opener. Boston tied a franchise playoff record with 22 3-pointers and outscored Miami 31-14 in the third quarter, feeding off the energy of the TD Garden crowd. The Celtics controlled the game from start to finish, pushing Miami around and limiting them to just five offensive rebounds. Miami played without star Jimmy Butler and was unable to keep up with Boston's physicality and sharpshooting, setting the tone for the series. Jaylen Brown also contributed with 21 points and six assists as the Celtics now lead the series 1-0.
Milwaukee Bucks 109 - 94 Indiana Pacers
In the playoff opener against the Indiana Pacers, Damian Lillard's 35-point first half led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 109-94 victory without Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court. Lillard dominated the game, setting a Bucks record for points in a half of a playoff game. Pascal Siakam had 36 points for the Pacers but they struggled to keep up, shooting poorly from 3-point range. Despite a late third-quarter push from Indiana, the Bucks maintained control and secured the win with contributions from Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis. Lillard's explosive start and the Bucks' strong performance set the tone for the series, giving Milwaukee a 1-0 lead as they head into Game 2.
Oklahoma City Thunder 94 - 92 New Orleans Pelicans
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a close 94-92 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 1 of their playoff series with 28 points, including the game-winning basket in the final minute. Despite missing Zion Williamson, the Pelicans put up a fight with Trey Murphy III and CJ McCollum scoring 21 and 20 points, respectively. Chet Holmgren's double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds was crucial for the Thunder, who won their first home playoff game since 2019. The game ended with McCollum missing a potential game-tying shot, giving the Thunder a 1-0 series lead and setting up an exciting Game 2 on Wednesday night.
LA Clippers 109 - 97 Dallas Mavericks
James Harden and Ivica Zubac led the Leonard-less Clippers to a 109-97 victory over Luka Doncic and the Mavericks in the playoff opener, with Harden scoring 28 points and Zubac adding 20 points and 15 rebounds. Los Angeles outperformed Dallas in 3-point shooting, making 18 to the Mavs' 10. The Clippers had five players in double figures, including Paul George with 22 points, while Doncic led the Mavs with 33 points. The Clippers dominated the first half, limiting Dallas to their fewest points in either half of a playoff game, and Harden scored 20 points in the first half to secure the win.