Game 1 Rewinds
04/17/2023
By: Jeff Yoder
Lakers & Heat Pull Biggest Upsets in Game 1s of NBA Playoffs
The NBA postseason is officially underway after every Game 1 of the opening-round series hit the court this weekend. De’Aaron Fox (38), Kawhi Leonard (38), and Jimmy Butler (35) had the best individual performances of the postseason tip-offs, and we’re gearing up for a full week of nightly hoops on the horizon. Here’s what went down this weekend.
Eastern Conference
#8 Heat def. #1 Bucks (130-117)
The biggest upset of the opening round went down in Milwaukee where the Heat throttled the Bucks in the first half (68-55) and cruised to a Game 1 victory. Jimmy Butler led Miami with 35 points, 11 assists and five rebounds while the Bucks lost Giannis Antetokounmpo to a lower back injury in the first quarter. He’s day-to-day and could return for Game 2, but the Heat stole the opener on the road.
#2 Celtics def. #7 Hawks (112-99)
Sweep alert in Boston. The Celtics defense stifled the Hawks and held Atlanta to just 17.2 percent from 3-point land, including 1-for-5 from Trae Young. Boston did most of their work in the first half (74-44) before letting off the gas. The Boston trio of Jaylen Brown (29), Jayson Tatum (25), and Derrick White (24) combined for 78, and things look bleak for Atlanta.
#3 76ers def. #6 Nets (121-101)
Joel Embiid (26) and James Harden (23) led Philly to a Game 1 win over the Nets thanks to a fourth-quarter runaway. Mikal Bridges dropped 30 for Brooklyn, but Philly was lights-out from 3-point range (21-for-43, 48.8%), including seven 3s from Harden. The opening-round series looks like a tough task for the Nets.
#5 Knicks def. #4 Cavaliers (101-97)
One of the evenest series of the first round is taking shape as expected. The Knicks held off a late push from the Cavs down the stretch. Jalen Brunson (27) led New York as the Knicks survived a 38-point outburst from Donovan Mitchell. Both teams split two quarters apiece, and the East’s 4-5 matchup could be the most exciting to watch.
Western Conference
#1 Nuggets def. #8 Timberwolves (109-80)
A no-doubter for the West’s top seed. Denver absolutely pummeled Minnesota in the final game of the weekend, blowing the doors off the T-Wolves with a 28-point advantage in the 3rd quarter. Nikola Jokic (13-14-6) didn’t need to score much for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray (24 points) had the hot hand, and the Timberwolves looked overwhelmed.
#7 Lakers def. #2 Grizzlies (128-112)
The Lakers outscored the Grizzlies by 22 in the second half to pull the upset in Memphis on Sunday. Three L.A. starters went for 20-plus — Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves — but it was Rui Hachimura off the bench (29) who stop the show (5-for-6, 3pt). Memphis didn’t play poorly, but the Lakers seemed to find the solution to the Grizzlies’ defense.
#3 Kings def. #6 Warriors (126-123)
Light the beam! The Kings hosted a playoff game for the first time in 17 years, and a record crowd showed up in Sacramento. The Warriors surrendered the lead in the third quarter before some late-game drama. De’Aaron Fox scored 38 points in his playoff debut, including 29 in the second half before hitting the go-ahead 3 to give the Kings the lead late in the 4th. Steph Curry had 30 to lead Golden State, but the defending champs are in an 0-1 hole.
#5 Clippers def. #4 Suns (115-110)
A doozy in the desert! The Clippers and Suns traded blows for 46 minutes on Sunday before Kawhi Leonard (38) got the last laugh. The Phoenix starters were downright unstoppable on the offensive end, including a 27-11-9 performance from Kevin Durant, but the Clippers hit back-to-back 3s in the final two minutes to ice Game 1 on the road.
Tonight’s Schedule
Game 2: Nets at 76ers (7:30 pm ET)
Game 2: Warriors at Kings (10:00 pm ET)
Additional Storylines
ESPN: Bucks to Monitor Giannis’ Lower Back Injury After Early Exit
CBS Sports: How Warriors Adjust to Match Kings in Game 2
Yahoo! Sports: Kawhi Turns Back Clock & Russ Comes Up Clutch as Clippers Steal Game 1
Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images