NBA Playoffs Opening Weekend

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Apr 20, 2009

NBA Playoffs Opening Weekend

Nuggets 113, Hornets 84

Chauncey Billups scored 36 points and made a career-best eight 3-pointers while leading the Nuggets to a 113-84 rout. It was the second-biggest blowout in Nuggets' playoff history.

76ers 100, Magic 98

Andre Iguodala made a 22-foot jumper with 2.2 seconds remaining, and the Sixers rallied from an 18-point deficit to stun Orlando.

Lakers 113, Jazz 100

Kobe Bryant scored 24 points as the Lakers pretty much had their way in Game 1 against the eighth-seeded Jazz.

Hawks 90, Heat 64

Josh Smith scored 23 points and every other Atlanta starter also was in double figures in Game 1. Dwyane Wade scored 19 points -- 11 below his NBA-leading average -- and Miami was held to its lowest point total of the season.

Bulls 105, Celtics 103 (OT)

Derrick Rose tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record with 36 points in his playoff debut -- and added 11 assists -- to lead the Bulls to a 105-103 overtime victory over the defending NBA champion Celtics in Game 1.

Mavericks 105, Spurs 97

Josh Howard scored 25 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 19 to key the Game 1 upset. The Mavs hadn't won a road playoff game since going to the Finals in 2006.

Cavaliers 102, Pistons 84

LeBron James, in get-out-of-my-way overdrive from the outset, scored 38 points -- mostly on shots from close range -- as the Cavs breezed past the Pistons.

Rockets 108, Blazers 81

The Blazers had no answer for the Rockets' man in the middle. Yao hit all nine of his shots and all six of his free throw attempts, and the Rockets went on to steamroll the Blazers 108-81.