KING & CO. TAKE BEATING
Pacers dominate in Game 1 to hand Cavaliers rare opening-round loss
CLEVELAND — LeBron James figured he had experienced everything in 12 postseasons. Turns out, there was something new. Victor Oladipo scored 32 points and Indiana outplayed Cleveland from the start while pulling off a stunning 98-80 victory Sunday in the series opener, handing James and the Cavaliers’ their first loss in the opening round in eight years. It also was the first playoff-opening loss for James, who came in 12-0 in Game 1s and didn’t realize he had been perfect starting the postseason. “Is it?” James said. “I’ve never lost a game in the first round before in my career? But while he knows the narrative before Wednesday’s Game 2 will be on the struggles of Cleveland’s playoff newcomers, James isn’t worried. “I’m down 0-1 in the first round,” he said. “I was down 3-1 in the Finals. So, I’m the last guy to ask about how you’re going to feel the next couple days.” The Pacers are feeling confident after beating the Cavs for the fourth time this season. CELTICS 113, BUCKS 107 (OT): Al Horford had 24 points and 12 rebounds and host Boston overcame Khris Middleton’s long 3 that beat the fourth-quarter buzzer, topping Milwaukee in overtime to open their playoff matchup. The Celtics led 99-96 with 0.5 seconds left in regulation when Middleton took an inbounds pass on the far right wing and hit a contested 35-footer to force OT. Terry Rozier added 23 points, four rebounds and three assists for Boston in his first career playoff start. Jaylen Brown finished with 20 points. Rookie Jayson Tatum added 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 35 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists before fouling out in overtime.
THUNDER 116, JAZZ 108: Paul George scored 36 points to help host Oklahoma City defeat Utah in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series.
George set an Oklahoma City playoff record with eight 3-pointers, blowing past the previous record of five. He made eight of 11 shots from long range, and 13 of 20 shots overall. It was his first playoff game with the Thunder since being acquired in a trade with the Indiana Pacers. Carmelo Anthony added 15 points for the Thunder.
ROCKETS 104, TIMBERWOLVES 101: James Harden scored 44 points and powered a big fourth-quarter run that allowed host Houston to outlast Minnesota in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series. Minnesota scored four straight points to get within 3 with about 30 seconds left. Chris Paul added two free throws after that for Houston, but a tip-in by Karl-Anthony Towns got Minnesota back within 3. After a bad pass by Paul gave the Timberwolves a chance to tie it with 1.5 seconds left, Jimmy Butler’s shot was short.