NBA Playoffs Tip Off with Surprises and Statement Performances

The NBA playoffs tipped off this weekend, as the look to become the NBA’s first repeat champions since the 2017 and 2018 Golden State Warriors. They picked up right where they left off in the Western Conference a season ago, winning their fifth consecutive playoff game against the . The East also features a rematch of last season’s conference finalists, but this season it was the dominating Game 1 against the , after falling 3-0 last season.

Despite being the top seed in the playoffs, the Toronto Raptors dropped Game 1 to the Orlando Magic 118-95. The Magic held the Raptors to 32.6% shooting from the field, including a dismal 21.6% from three-point range. Orlando’s defense was also impressive, forcing 17 turnovers.

The Philadelphia 76ers beat the New York Knicks 110-108, despite another injury scare for Joel Embiid. Embiid left the game briefly in the third quarter with a left knee injury, but he returned to finish with 27 points and 12 rebounds. James Harden added 21 points and 10 assists for the 76ers.

The Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 122-109, extending their winning streak against L.A. to nine games. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. LeBron James had 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists for the Lakers.

The Boston Celtics set a franchise playoff record with 22 made 3-pointers, while Jayson Tatum recorded his first career playoff triple-double in a 118-107 win over the Miami Heat. Tatum finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Jaylen Brown added 24 points for the Celtics.

The Milwaukee Bucks took a 1-0 series lead over the Miami Heat with a 109-102 win, as new acquisition Damian Lillard poured in 35 first-half points. Antetokounmpo is expected to miss the first few games of the series with a right knee injury.

The playoffs are just getting started, but there have already been some surprises and statement performances. The Raptors and Lakers are both facing must-win situations in Game 2, while the Nuggets, Celtics, and Bucks look to take a commanding lead in their respective series.

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