The NBA playoffs got its first nail-biter as an inspired second half performance from Jalen Brunson helped the New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-97.
Brunson top scored for the Knicks with 27 points, 21 of which came in the second half.
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The host Cavaliers, who had 38 points from Donovan Mitchell in a losing cause, went on a 9-0 run for a 93-92 lead before the Knicks reclaimed the lead.
Brunson’s driving layup boosted the Knicks ahead 99-95 but Jarrett Allen’s dunk tightened the game for Cleveland. A Brunson miss was rebounded by New York’s Julius Randle, who had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and that set up two clinching Knicks free throws by Quentin Grimes.
“They don’t quit. They just kept fighting,” Brunson said of the Cavs.
“We kept our composure. Made plays down the stretch, made a couple of huge stops. We just kept fighting, kept sticking together and stayed poised.”
The victory was also the Knicks’ first series-opening win on the road in a staggering 24 years.
HARDEN HAUNTS NETS IN SIXERS’ RECORD DAY OUT
Joel Embiid scored 26 points and James Harden added 23 to lead the Philadelphia 76ers over the Brooklyn Nets 121-101 in an NBA first-round playoff series opener on Sunday (AEST).
The host Sixers, who led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage, sank a club playoff record 21 3-pointers in 43 attempts to seize a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference best-of-seven opening series, which continues Monday in Philadelphia.
“(That) was a good win for us,” Harden said.
“We’ll be watching film. Game two is going to be the toughest game of the series for us. We’ll be ready to go.”
Embiid, the NBA season scoring leader with 33.1 points a game, was often double-teamed defensively by the Nets but effectively brought teammates into scoring positions.
The Cameroonian 7-footer (2.13m) went 7-of-15 from the floor but was 11-of-11 from the free throw line and contributed five rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots and a steal.
NBA season assists leader Harden, who hit 7-of-13 from 3-point range, made 13 assists. He became the first player in 76ers history with 20 points, 10 assists and five 3-pointers in one contest.
He also helped eight Sixers in all to make 3-pointers.
“Just finding ways to impact the game possession by possession,” said Harden, a former Nets back-court star.
“It’s the playoffs. Things don’t go the way you want as much as you want them to. You’ve got to keep pushing, keeping fighting, and I’m happy we got a win.”
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In the times the Nets stifled Embiid, Harden picked them apart with inside moves, skilled shotmaking and precision passing.
“I’ve been doing it for a very, very long time at the highest level so it’s pretty easy,” Harden said.
“As long as I get into the paint and create good shots, I’m doing my job. Most of the time my teammates are making the shots.”
Philadelphia made a club one-half playoff record of 13 3-pointers on the way to a 67-58 halftime edge.
While excited at the triumph, Harden tried to keep a perspective on the first step in a two-month playoff chase for the championship.
“Stay even keel,” he said.
“There are going to be some good moments, some low moments. You win a game. You lose a game. Stay even keel and look at the bigger picture.”
Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges scored a game-high 30 points, but only seven in the second half.
CELTICS PUNISH HAPLESS HAWKS WITH 74-POINT HALF
At Boston, Jaylen Brown scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Celtics over Atlanta 112-99.
He played with a wrapping on cut fingers and a proective mask he has had for two months due to a facial fracture.
“Got to come out and be ready to go,” he said.
“My team depends on me. My city depends on me. I don’t make no excuses. I come out and play ball.”
Jayson Tatum added 25 points and 11 rebounds while Derrick White contributed 24 points for Boston, which used a 20-3 second-quarter run to seize a 74-44 half-time lead.
Atlanta, led by Dejounte Murray’s 24 points, rallied in the second half but could not mount a sustained threat.
“Starts on defense,” Brown said.
“Coming out and being locked in defensively. That’s a good young team. We’ve got to give them respect and come out and play them tight and stay aggressive.”
Brown wants to avoid second-half fades after building big leads. “That’s the journey for us, to stay and keep that mentality locked in throughout the playoffs, 48 minutes throughout the game,” he said.
“Tonight we waned a little bit but we will pick it up as the playoffs go on.”
FULL NBA RESULTS
76ers 121-101 Nets
Celtics 112-99 Hawks
Cavaliers 97-101 Knicks
Kings v Warriors