NBA PLAYOFFS FIRST-ROUND SERIES OPENERS..
MIAMI 115 – Atlanta 91… Duncan Robinson made 9-of-10 3-point attempts on his way to 27 points and the top-seeded Heat were too much for the Hawks in the Eastern Conference series opener. Jimmy Butler added 21 points. The series remains in Miami for Game 2 tomorrow night.
BOSTON 115 – Brooklyn 114… Jayson Tatum laid in the winning basket at the buzzer off a pass from Marcus Smart and the Celtics escaped with a dramatic Eastern Conference Game 1 win over the Nets. Tatum scored 16 of his 31 points in the second half. Jaylen Brown tossed in 23 points. Al Horford had 20 points and 15 rebounds. Smart also scored 20 points. Game 2 is Wednesday night in Boston.
MILWAUKEE 93 – Chicago 86… The Bucks recovered to down the Bulls in the Eastern Conference opener after blowing a 16-point lead. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points and grabbed 16 boards. Game 2 is Wednesday night in Milwaukee.
PHOENIX 110 – New Orleans 99… Chris Paul scored 19 of his 30 points during the fourth quarter and the top-seeded Suns put away the Pelicans in the Western Conference opener. They led by as many as 23 points but had to turn away a late rally. Devin Booker pumped in 25 points and Deandre Ayton tossed in 21 for Phoenix, which hosts Game 2 tomorrow night.