Raptors, Celtics, Pelicans cruise to 2-0 series leads
LOSANGELES — DeMar DeRozan scored 37 points as the Toronto Raptors overwhelmed the Washington Wizards 130-119 to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference NBA playoff series.
A record-breaking first-half performance laid the foundations for the Raptors, who had surged into a 76-58 lead at half-time to leave Washington chasing an 18-point deficit after the break.
DeRozan, who also contributed four assists and five rebounds, spearheaded a rampant Toronto offense, which saw six players finish with double-digit points tallies.
Jonas Valanciunas scored 19 points, while C.J. Miles had 18 off the bench as Toronto took a firm grip on the series with game three set for Washington on Friday.
Washington's resistance was led by John Wall with 29 points, but the Wizards were rarely in the contest, save for one late rally as the topseeded Raptors eased up.
Elsewhere, second seeds Boston shrugged off their injury crisis to down Milwaukee 120106 to take a 2-0 lead in their first round series.
The Celtics are still reeling from confirmation that star Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the season.
Jaylen Brown shouldered the offensive burden in the absence of Irving, scoring 30 points in 33 minutes on court, while Terry Rozier had 23 points with eight assists on a night when six Celtics put up double figures.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the scoring for the Bucks with 30 points, with Khris Middleton adding 25 in a losing effort.
In Portland, New Orleans took a 2-0 lead in their series against the Trail Blazers with a 111102 victory on the road.
Jrue Holiday scored 33 points for the Pelicans – including 12 in a fourth quarter rally - to guide New Orleans home, with Anthony Davis adding 22.