Day 1 of 2019-20 NBA playoffs on the books,total four games were played on Monday inside the Walt Disney Resorts in Orlando.No upsets on the opening day, all four top seeded teams took 1-0 lead in their respective match-ups.
Utah Jazz 125 – 135 Denver Nuggets
The 2019-20 season playoffs kick-started with a overtime game between Jazz and Nuggets.All-star Donovan Mitchell’s career night not enough for 6th seed Jazz to overcome Nuggets, but Mitchell with 57 points performance joined an elite club of MJ and Baylor to score 50+ points palyoffs.
The game was tied at 115, at the end of regular time after four quarters of play.Murray and Nuggets out scored Jazz 20 to 10 in the overtime to take 1-0 lead in the 7 game series.There were total 19 lead changes and the game was tied 10 times. Largest lead for Nuggets was 12 and for Jazz, it’s 5 points.
Jamal Murray finished with a team-high 36 points while adding nine assists and five rebounds. Nikola Jokic contributed 29 points and 10 rebounds, while also adding three assists and two steals.
Michael Porter Jr. had 13 points with eight assists, and Torrey Craig contributed 11 points. Jerami Grant (19 points) and Monte Morris (14 points, four assists) produced off the bench as well.
The Jazz didn’t have Mike Conley so Donovan Mitchell had to carry the team offensively, and the star shooting guard responded with a career-high 57 points (on 19.of-33 shooting) while adding nine rebounds and seven assists.
Joe Ingles filled the stat sheet with 19 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Rudy Gobert notched 17 points, seven boards and four blocks. Jordan Clarkson registered 18 points and four boards off the bench.
BROOKLYN NETS 110 – 134 TORONTO RAPTORS
Defending Champions Totonto Raptors start their playoffs with a win over Brooklyn Nets.Fred VanVleet led the Raptors to a 1-0 series lead, with 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting, 11 assists, two steals and a block, in 39 minutes.
Serge Ibaka followed up with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a block, off the bench, while Kyle Lowry totaled 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a block.
Pascal Siakam added a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Raptors limited themselves to 11 turnovers and tallied 26 assists in the win. Meanwhile, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot led the Nets with 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting, seven rebounds and two assists, off the bench.
Caris LeVert added 15 points, 15 assists, seven rebounds and a steal. Joe Harris chipped in 19 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Jarret Allen tallied a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Despite the loss, the Nets dished 33 assists and shot 47 percent from the field.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 101 -109 BOSTON CELTICS
Celtics defeat 76ers in the third game of the day.Two closely matched sides going at each other for early lead in the series. Without Ben Simmons, 76ers chances of overcoming young Celtics team is minimal.
There were seven ties and 13 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 11 points. The Celtics outscored the Sixers in the second and fourth quarters, 64-45.
Boston ended up winning the turnover battle, 18-7, thanks to 12 steals. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 32 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Jaylen Brown collected 29 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Kemba Walker finished game with 19 points and five assists.
Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 26 points and 16 boards. Josh Richardson added 18 points along with six rebounds and two assists. Tobias Harris tallied 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
DALLAS MAVERICKS 110 – 118 LA CLIPPERS
Mavericks vs Clippers was the final game of the night and most anticipated game too. Fans were raving for Luka and Porzingis offense vs Kawhi and George defense before the series.
Doncic not disappointed anyone, With 42 Points for the night he clinched another milestone,Most points in a playoff debut in NBA history. Mavericks were dominating Clippers before poor call from umpires to eject Porzingis out of the game for silly scuffle with Morris.
A wild first quarter featured extensive runs by both squads before the Mavericks emerged with a four-point lead. The tide turned in the third, when the Clippers held Dallas to 13 points and Kristaps Porzingis was ejected.
The Mavs came up just short in the closing minutes despite Luka Doncic’s 42 points.Doncic overcame an early ankle injury to also compile nine assists, seven rebounds and three steals to his aforementioned scoring tally.
Tim Hardaway, Jr.’s line included 18 points and six boards. Porzingis supplied 14 points and six rebounds. Seth Curry posted 14 points.
Leonard’s 29 points, which he partly complemented with 12 rebounds, led the Clippers. George delivered 27 points. Marcus Morris’ contributions included 19 points, six boards and four steals. Lou Williams totaled 14 points. Ivica Zubac contributed a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.
