NBA Recap: Celtics and Thunder Dominate Playoff Openers

The top-seeded Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their NBA playoff campaigns in style on Tuesday, securing commanding victories in their respective series openers.

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics asserted their dominance with a resounding 120-95 triumph over the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers at the TD Garden.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder faced a formidable challenge from Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semi-final series opener. Despite the competition, the Thunder ultimately prevailed with a 117-95 win after a hard-fought battle.

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Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers:

Jaylen Brown led the charge for the Celtics with a stellar performance, notching 32 points, while Derrick White contributed 25 points, including seven three-pointers. Boston’s relentless defense set the tone for the game, limiting Cleveland to under 100 points.

Although Jayson Tatum struggled with his shooting, adding 18 points, Boston maintained control throughout the match, never allowing Cleveland to seize the lead. The Celtics’ solid defensive effort paved the way for their convincing victory, with game two set to take place in Boston on Thursday.

that's one, fellas ☝? pic.twitter.com/A7uymm89YC
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 8, 2024

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks:

In a closely contested matchup, the youthful Oklahoma City Thunder squad showcased their resilience against the Mavericks. Despite trailing at halftime, OKC rallied in the second half, building a crucial lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder’s offensive charge with 29 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, while Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams contributed 19 and 18 points, respectively. Despite Luka Doncic’s efforts for Dallas, finishing with 19 points, the Thunder’s collective effort proved too much for the Mavericks to overcome.

Reflecting on the win, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the team’s focus on winning games at a high level, regardless of their youth. The Thunder’s victory marked a significant milestone, with their average age of just over 23 making them the youngest team to win a second-round playoff game.

Looking ahead, both teams are gearing up for game two, with the Mavericks acknowledging the need for improvement to bounce back from their defeat. Doncic emphasized the importance of staying focused and playing at a high level for the entire game to secure a better outcome in the next matchup.