- Celtics too good for Atlanta, 76ers power past Nets
The NBA playoffs are back, and it began with a rather low-key encounter with the 76ers at home to the Brooklyn Nets.
This one started off a bit even, with both sides trading buckets. The Nets did a good job throwing bodies at Joel Embiid but just as we all suspected, the talent gap between the two teams would just be too much in the end.
Mikael Bridges went off for 30 points as he did his best to help the Nets find a foothold but Joel Embiid found his groove, tallying 26 points while James Harden added 23 points and 13 assists to lead the 76ers to a 121-101 game 1 win over the Nets.
Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks
The less said about the Hawks performance, the better. Trae Young could do nothing to stop the avalanche that came their way from the Celtics duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. They combined for 54 points and it really should have been more but with such a healthy lead, the stars were rested for the fourth quarter. This series is likely to be a sweep, the Hawks just have no answer for the shooting and efficiency of Tatum and Brown. 112-99 in the end.
Sacramento vs Golden State
One of the most exciting matchups of the first round, Kings hosted the Warriors in Sacramento. There was optimism that Golden State would steal this game due to the return of Andrew Wiggins but De’Aaron Fox made sure his team took a 1-0 lead.
Steph did his thing for the Warriors with 30 points but he didn’t get sufficient contribution from the rest of his teammates and the Dubs will need to do better if they’re to stand any chance of taking game 2.
Fox scored 38 points and Malik Monk added 32 to send the Kings past Golden State in game 1 with a 126-123 victory.
Finally, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost 101-97 to the New York Knicks despite a 38-point effort from Donavan Mitchell
