The NBA Playoffs kicked off today with points flying on the board as the Nuggets, Raptors, Celtics and Clippers got the series lead.
The Playoffs were originally scheduled for 18 April but had to be delayed due to Covid-19 concerns.
The league worked out the Bubble, where all teams stay and play in the Disney Orlando resort. This takes the field home advantage out of the playoffs. It will be the first time they play without fans present.
The night kicked off with the Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz game that went into overtime. Donovan Mitchell had a stellar performance scoring 57 points, which ranks first in single-game playoff team history and third-most in NBA post-season history. He is only behind Michael Jordan and Elgin Baylor. Despite the historic drive of the Jazz player, they came short of the win.
Final score: Nuggets 135, Jazz 125
The second game saw a matchup between the Toronto Raptors, the defending champions, and the Brooklyn Nets. The Raptors led by 33 at the end of the first half, yet the Nets fought back cutting it to only nine points by the end of the third quarter. They ultimately couldn’t complete the comeback and the Raptors go 1-0 on the series. Fred VanFleet led the scoreboard for Toronto with 30 points. On the Brooklyn side, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarro led his team with 26.
Final score: Raptors 134, Nets 110
Next on the court was an Eastern Conference matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics obtained the victory in a neck to neck game. The 76ers missed injured Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid couldn’t come up big. He still scored 26 points to lead the team. Jayson Tatum put 32 on the board for Boston leading his team.
Final score: Celtics 109, 76ers 101
To end day one Los Angeles Clippers took on the Dallas Mavericks. This is the first playoff apperance of the Mavericks since 2016. Kristaps Porzingis was ejected after his second techincal foul on a debated call and turned the game around probably costing Dallas the game. The call drew responses on Twitter from players around the league.
https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1295552048998514688
…you can’t eject him Kristaps for that. Protecting the Mavs best player. That’s bad.
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) August 18, 2020
Luka Doncic lead the scoreboard for the Mavericks with 42 points, unfortunately it wasn’t enough to get the victory. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George split 56 points between the two of them for the Clippers.
Final score: Clipper 118, Mavericks 110
The playoffs round one continues tomorrow with the following matchups.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic 3:30am AEST
Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat 6am AEST
Houston Rockers vs Oklahoma City Thunder 8:30am AEST
Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers 11am AEST
Photo: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 7, 2018 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. by Frenchieinportland available HERE and used under a Creative Commons Attribution. The image has been modified.
