The Golden State Warriors got off to a winning start in their opening round playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans, with Stephen Curry leading the charge.
Curry scored 34 points in the win as the hosts built a big lead before Anthony Davis led the comeback for the visitors as he finished with 35 points in his first playoff game after scoring 20 in the fourth quarter.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr was pleased with his team’s ability to cope with the comeback and still seal the win, and so they will remain confident that they can take Game 2 and build a commanding lead in the series.
The Pelicans also received an injury blow as guard Tyreke Evans was forced to leave the game in the first half with a knee injury, and he will undergo an MRI scan to reveal the full extent of the problem.
Elsewhere, the game of the night came in Toronto where the Raptors were defeated by the Washington Wizards with Paul Pierce silencing the home crowd.
The veteran angered the Raptors fans prior to the game by insisting that his rivals didn’t have “it” that made him worried about facing them in the playoffs. The former NBA champion had 20 points to lead the Wizards to the W, but it didn’t come without drama as they were forced to go to overtime after Greivis Vasquez’s late heroics in regulation.
Staying in the East, the Chicago Bulls were treated to a stellar performance from Derrick Rose who made his playoff comeback after last featuring in the post-season back in 2012.
The former MVP had 23 points and seven assists in the win, and showed off some aggression to get to the basket for the lay-ups that have become synonymous with his play over the years.
In the final game of the night, James Harden scored 24 points but received help all around him as the Houston Rockets comfortably defeated the Dallas Mavericks to take a 1-0 lead in their series.
NBA Results
Washington Wizards 93-86 Toronto Raptors (OT)
New Orleans Pelicans 99-106 Golden State Warriors
Milwaukee Bucks 91-103 Chicago Bulls
Dallas Mavericks 108-118 Houston Rockets
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