LeBron, Cavaliers survive opener
LeBron James scored 32 points, and the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers began the NBA playoffs by escaping with a 109- 108 victory Saturday against the visiting Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference series.
Playing in his 200th career playoff game, James also had 13 assists, six rebounds and three steals on his way to winning his 18th consecutive first- round game.
But it was anything but easy for the Cavaliers. They had to withstand a strong comeback by the Pacers, who would have stolen the opener if C. J. Miles had made a 14- foot jumper in the final second.
Kyrie Irving added 23 points and Kevin Love 17 for the Cavaliers, who have won 12 consecutive playoff games at home. Paul George scored 29 points and Lance Stephenson 16 for the Pacers, who will try to even the series with a victory Monday in Game 2.
George had the ball in his hands on the Pacers’ final possession, but the Cavaliers double- teamed him, forcing him to pass to Miles. His shot was on line but short, and the Cavaliers survived despite several bad possessions down the stretch and a 14- for- 27 performance from the free- throw line.
Bucks 97, Raptors 83
Giannis Antetokounmpo led five players in double figures with 28 points on 13- for- 18 shooting, and the Milwaukee Bucks held the host Toronto Raptors to 20 percent shooting in the second half on their way to capturing Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. Game 2 is Tuesday in Toronto.
Malcolm Brogdon added 16 points, Greg Monroe 14, Tony Snell 11 and Khris Middleton 10 for the Bucks, who broke open a close game with a 10- 1 run to start the fourth quarter. DeMar DeRozan had 27 points and Serge Ibaka 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Raptors, who shot 7- for- 35 in the second half and have lost Game 1 in eight consecutive playoff series.
Jazz 97, Clippers 95
Joe Johnson’s floater bounced off the back of the rim and through the basket at the buzzer to lift the visiting Utah Jazz past the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of their Western Conference series. Game 2 is Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Johnson scored 21 points and Gordon Hayward 19 for the Jazz, who played all but the first play of the game without center Rudy Gobert, who suffered a sprained ligament in his left knee when the Clippers’ Luc Richard Mbah a Moute collided with him while he was setting a screen. Blake Griffin had 26 points and Chris Paul 25 points and 11 assists for the Clippers.
Spurs 111, Grizzlies 82
Kawhi Leonard matched his postseason career high with 32 points, and the San Antonio Spurs outscored the visiting Memphis Grizzlies 59- 33 in the second half to roll to victory in Game 1 of their Western Conference series. Game 2 in Monday in San Antonio.