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Knicks 123, Pistons 112
Jalen Brunson caught fire late, scoring 34 points to lift the New York Knicks over the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinals. New York used a massive 21-0 fourth-quarter run to pull away, outscoring Detroit 33-14 in the final 9:16.
OG Anunoby added 23 points, including 19 in the first half, while Karl-Anthony Towns posted a 23-point, 11-rebound effort. Cameron Payne chipped in 14 off the bench, hitting the game-tying three during the Knicks’ surge.
Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 25 points, but Detroit has now lost 15 straight postseason games dating back to 2008.
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Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 (OT)
Aaron Gordon scored six of his 25 points in overtime and Russell Westbrook made a key defensive stop in the final seconds to help Denver edge the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of their Western Conference series.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 29 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds. Jamal Murray added 21 and Christian Braun chipped in 11. James Harden dropped 32 with 11 assists for the Clippers.
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Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95
Jaden McDaniels dropped 25 points and Anthony Edwards nearly notched a triple-double as the Timberwolves routed the Lakers in Game 1 in Los Angeles.
Minnesota shot over 51% from the floor and knocked down 21 threes. Naz Reid scored 23 points off the bench, and Julius Randle contributed 16. The Timberwolves are now 5-0 in first-round games since last season.
Luka Doncic had 37 points and LeBron James added 19, but the Lakers struggled with just 39.8% shooting and were outscored 43-13 in bench points.
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Pacers 117, Bucks 98
Indiana erupted in the first half behind Pascal Siakam (25 points) and Andrew Nembhard (17 points) to take Game 1 in their series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tyrese Haliburton recorded 12 assists and 10 points as the Pacers’ offense cruised, shooting over 53% for the game. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 points for Milwaukee, but the Bucks played without Damian Lillard, who missed the game due to a calf issue.
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