NBA playoffs 2017: Live scores, highlights, updates, live blog for Sunday"s games

Watch as Cavaliers are introduced to open the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Pacers

The NBA playoffs started off with a bang on Saturday, with the Cavs almost suffering an upset in game one, then the Bucks and Jazz finishing the job against higher seeds later in the day.

Sunday should be just as exciting, with four more games on tap: Wizards-Hawks, Warriors-Blazers, Celtics-Bulls and Rockets-Thunder.

Our NBA experts will be here all day to bring you scores, updates and analysis from the second set of Game 1s. Please join us in the live blog below.

Schedule/How to watch the NBA Playoffs

If you are unable to view the live blog below, please click here .

Source: http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-playoffs-2017-live-scores-highlights-updates-live-blog-for-sundays-games/

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NBA Playoffs 2017: Grizzlies in deep trouble if Spurs bench keeps dominating

Joe Johnson"s GAME WINNER vs Clippers Game 1 of NBA Playoffs April 15,2017

The Memphis Grizzlies got awful news before their first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs started: guard Tony Allen strained his calf and will be out indefinitely. This was particularly painful because Chandler Parsons, the Grizzlies" major free agent acquisition last summer, had already been ruled out indefinitely with a meniscus tear in his left knee. Memphis isn"t exactly the deepest team in the league to begin with, but it had survived stretches where it was shorthanded in the regular season. Doing so against a team with the depth of Spurs, however, is different.

The Grizzlies lost Game 1 to San Antonio 111-82, and the way it went down revealed how little margin for error they have in this matchup. Their starting lineup built an early 22-9 lead with stars Mike Conley and Marc Gasol playing almost perfectly, but as soon as they started making substitutions things started to fall apart. The Spurs cut that lead down to three points before the end of the first quarter, and they dominated after that. Memphis scored just 33 points after halftime, and Conley finished with 13 after scoring 10 in the opening frame.

Memphis coach David Fizdale said that this will be a short series if Conley doesn"t come up big, and that"s true. Even if he and Gasol are firing on all cylinders, though, they will need more help. San Antonio outscored Memphis 39-25 in bench points, but that doesn"t even paint the whole picture. Big men Pau Gasol and Zach Randolph play similar roles for these teams, and their plus-minuses tell the story: Pau was plus-22; Randolph was minus-40.

"They chip at you," Fizdale said. "That"s what they do. They chip at you and they wait for you to break on little areas and they take full advantage of it. They kept chipping, kept chipping and eventually it broke open."

The Grizzlies didn"t fully break until late in the third quarter. It was 74-64 with less than two minutes to go in the third when Kawhi Leonard hit a hook shot on a broken play. Then Manu Ginobili stole the ball from Gasol on a drive and Patty Mills hit an open 3-pointer. Memphis called timeout to try to stop the bleeding, but Randolph had his shot blocked on the next possession and Leonard finished a 3-point play off a pick-and-roll. Conley then turned the ball over, Leonard did a stutter step into a jumper and all of a sudden it was a 20-point game.

Randolph, who anchored the Grizzlies" second unit all season on offense, scored six points on 3-for-13 shooting. Vince Carter, Wayne Selden and JayMychal Green, the three players who started next to Conley and Gasol, combined for 12 points and shot 5-for-17. Troy Daniels played 16 minutes off the bench and missed three 3-pointers, finishing scoreless.

"We gotta find a third scorer, whether it"s Z-Bo, who struggled tonight, Troy Daniels or Vince," Fizdale said. "Or maybe a little bit of all three."

The special thing about the Spurs is that it almost doesn"t matter who"s on the court throughout a game. Gregg Popovich makes sure everyone in his rotation has chances to play major roles throughout the regular season, and the statistics show that they don"t depend on one star in particular. Leonard, who scored 32 points on 11 for 14 from the fieldand looked like the MVP candidate he is, is clearly their best player. San Antonio, however, still outscored opponents by 6.6 points per 100 possessions this season when he was on the bench. It also outscored opponents by 10.2 points per 100 possessions when LaMarcus Aldridge was on the bench. Unsurprisingly, its bench comfortably led the league in net rating, per NBA.com.

All of that is to say that Memphis has an extremely difficult challenge ahead of itself. If it doesn"t figure out how to get more contributions up and down the roster, it will be in deep trouble.

Source: http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-playoffs-2017-grizzlies-in-deep-trouble-if-spurs-bench-keeps-dominating/

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The NBA Playoffs Challenge is here

Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics - Preview | 2017 NBA Playoffs

After an epic NBA season, the Playoffs are finally here and we"ve launched a new game to extend the NBA tipping fun through to the nba finals in june.

the nba playoffs challenge is a bracket-style game similar to our March Madness Tournament Challenge competition. All you need to do is pick the winner of each NBA Playoff match-up, right up to the overall winner of The Finals, and don"t forget to tip the margin in each of the first round of head-to-head clashes.

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You can change your selections until tip-off, after which your NBA Playoffs Challenge bracket is locked until The Finals winner is decided, with points awarded for each tip you get right.

You don"t need to do anything to activate this game, it"s been automatically added to competitions. Any standard finals tipping you may have activated remains in place for your tippers; this is just a bit of extra fun on the side for everyone.

Just fill in your bracket, and let tippers in your competition know they need to go in and enter their selections.

Source: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19145538/the-nba-playoffs-challenge-here

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NBA Playoffs: Observations From The First Day

The NBA Playoffs started yesterday with some thrilling games, leaving some indelible impressions on those who watched. There were no upsets in either of the four games that were on the schedule. That said, there were a few things to pay attention to going forward.

Going into the NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and Atlanta Hawks were the favorites to win the championship. Only Golden State was displayed yesterday. The Cavs, Hawks, and Spurs play today.

The Warriors had the best regular season record, and as a reward, they play the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round in the West.

Since the rules do not have realignment in the NBA Playoffs, the Warriors drew a Pelicans team that is more capable than fans outside of New Orleans realize.

Anthony Davis is a basketball stud. He was on display throughout the game despite having foul trouble. He and the Pelicans were down 25 and did not panic. What was originally thought to be a laugher turned out to be a tense game in the end. The eighth seed showed some heart in the fourth quarter, eventually losing 106-99.

Welcome to the playoffs, Anthony Davis. Davis drops 35 points (20 Pts in 4th qtr), 7 Reb & 4 Blk in 1st playoff game. pic.twitter.com/tWeOjNuNi8

SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 18, 2015

MVP frontrunner Stephen Curry acknowledged the tension in his postgame interview (via ESPN).

In those situations, you want to get the crowd back into it. Theres a weird kind of tension, especially in the second half when they made a couple runs. But in the playoffs, you have to expect anything. And whenever youre on the floor, just try to make an impact.

New Orleans is a bigger team, and they are athletic in just about every position. This best-of-seven series could go the distance if Golden State is not careful.

The NBA Playoffs began with a good game between Team Drake (Toronto Raptors) hosting Team Wale (Washington Wizards). Washington Wizard fans were holding on to the edge of their seats while watching their team blow a 15-point lead in the final quarter versus the Toronto Raptors. The Wizards won in overtime, taking a 1-0 series, but most importantly, they took over home court advantage.

Washington is one of the dark horses in the NBA Playoffs. Yesterday showed everyone why.

The @WashWizards (in OT), @Warriors, @ChicagoBulls & @HoustonRockets each go up 1-0: http://t.co/C5nCjWnqi1 pic.twitter.com/kVm5GHOLzv

NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2015

Expect more fight from Team Drake I mean the Raptors in Game 2.

The close proximity of the Houston Rockets / Dallas Mavericks series made last night an interesting watch. These two teams hate each other. A lot of pushing and shoving, a flagrant foul here or there, and you will have the most intense first round matchup.

Both teams proved true to form in the Rockets 118-108 win. The first game had a lot of fireworks, expect that, along with a couple of ejections to happen.

Perhaps the odds-makers did not do it purposely but they forgot about the Chicago Bulls. The guard rotation of Aaron Brooks (13 points), Jimmy Butler (25 points), and Derrick Rose (23 points) were all over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Everyone expects the Bulls to dominate Milwaukee with their superior size, but if the guard play continues execute proficiently, the series will not be a sweep. Every contender was put on notice last night that the MVP version of Derrick Rose may have returned after rehabbing from meniscus surgery.

Rose looked pain-free and motivated. He played with a boulder on his shoulder, not a chip. And if that attitude carries over to the rest of the team the Bulls are not going to be denied in the NBA Playoffs.

[Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images Sport]

Source: http://www.inquisitr.com/2024382/nba-playoffs-observations-from-the-first-day/

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NBA Playoffs 2015: Schedule, Game Times and Predictions for 1st-Round Bracket

Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 NBA playoffs got off to a fairly exciting start. There were no buzzer-beaters, but it was good to see the action transition into the second season.

In case you missed the first four games, here are the results, schedule for the remainder of the first round as well as viewing information for each game.

NBA Playoff Schedule Sunday, April 19 (8) Brooklyn Nets at (1) Atlanta Hawks 5:30 p.m. TNT Wednesday, April 22 (8) Brooklyn Nets at (1) Atlanta Hawks 7 p.m. NBA TV Saturday, April 25 (1) Atlanta Hawks at (8) Brooklyn Nets 3 p.m. TNT Monday, April 27 (1) Atlanta Hawks at (8) Brooklyn Nets TBD TBD Wednesday, April 29* (8) Brooklyn Nets at (1) Atlanta Hawks TBD TBD Friday, May 1* (1) Atlanta Hawks at (8) Brooklyn Nets TBD TBD Sunday, May 3* (8) Brooklyn Nets at (1) Atlanta Hawks TBD TBD Sunday, April 19 (7) Boston Celtics at (2) Cleveland Cavaliers 3 p.m. ABC Tuesday, April 21 (7) Boston Celtics at (2) Cleveland Cavaliers 7 p.m. TNT Thursday, April 23 (2) Cleveland Cavaliers at (7) Boston Celtics 7 p.m. TNT Sunday, April 26 (2) Cleveland Cavaliers at (7) Boston Celtics 1 p.m. ABC Tuesday, April 28 * (7) Boston Celtics at (2) Cleveland Cavaliers TBD TBD Thursday, April 30 * (2) Cleveland Cavaliers at (7) Boston Celtics TBD TBD Saturday, May 2 * (7) Boston Celtics at (2) Cleveland Cavaliers TBD TNT Saturday, April 18 (6) Milwaukee Bucks 91, (3) Chicago Bulls 103 7 p.m. ESPN Monday, April 20 (6) Milwaukee Bucks at (3) Chicago Bulls 8 p.m. TNT Thursday, April 23 (3) Chicago Bulls at (6) Milwaukee Bucks 8 p.m. NBA TV Saturday, April 25 (3) Chicago Bulls at (6) Milwaukee Bucks 5:30 p.m. TNT Monday, April 27* (6) Milwaukee Bucks at (3) Chicago Bulls TBD TBD Thursday, April 30* (3) Chicago Bulls at (6) Milwaukee Bucks TBD TBD Saturday, May 2* (6) Milwaukee Bucks at (3) Chicago Bulls TBD TNT Saturday, April 18 (5) Washington Wizards 93 (4) Toronto Raptors 86 12:30 p.m. ESPN Tuesday, April 21 (5) Washington Wizards at (4) Toronto Raptors 8 p.m. NBA TV Friday, April 24 (4) Toronto Raptors at (5) Washington Wizards 8 p.m. ESPN 2 Sunday, April 26 (4) Toronto Raptors at (5) Washington Wizards 7 p.m. TNT Wednesday, April 29* (5) Washington Wizards at (4) Toronto Raptors TBD TBD Friday, May 1* (4) Toronto Raptors at (5) Washington Wizards TBD TBD Sunday, May 3* (5) Washington Wizards at (4) Toronto Raptors TBD TBD Saturday, April 18 (8) New Orleans Pelicans 99 (1) Golden State Warriors 106 3:30 p.m. ABC Monday, April 20 (8) New Orleans Pelicans at (1) Golden State Warriors 10:30 p.m. TNT Thursday, April 23 (1) Golden State Warriors at (8) New Orleans Pelicans 9:30 p.m. TNT Saturday, April 25 (1) Golden State Warriors at (8) New Orleans Pelicans 8 p.m. ESPN Tuesday, April 28* (8) New Orleans Pelicans at (1) Golden State Warriors TBD TBD Friday, May 1* (1) Golden State Warriors at (8) New Orleans Pelicans TBD TBD Sunday, May 3* (8) New Orleans Pelicans at (1) Golden State Warriors TBD TBD Saturday, April 18 (7) Dallas Mavericks 108 (2) Houston Rockets 118 9:30 p.m. ESPN Tuesday, April 21 (7) Dallas Mavericks at (2) Houston Rockets 9:30 p.m. TNT Friday, April 24 (2) Houston Rockets at (7) Dallas Mavericks 7 p.m. ESPN Sunday, April 26 (2) Houston Rockets at (7) Dallas Mavericks 9:30 p.m. TNT Tuesday, April 28* (7) Dallas Mavericks at (2) Houston Rockets TBD TBD Thursday, April 30* (2) Houston Rockets at (7) Dallas Mavericks TBD TBD Saturday, May 2* (7) Dallas Mavericks at (2) Houston Rockets TBD TNT Sunday, April 19 (6) San Antonio Spurs at (3) Los Angeles Clippers 10:30 p.m. TNT Wednesday, April 22 (6) San Antonio Spurs at (3) Los Angeles Clippers 10:30 p.m. TNT Friday, April 24 (3) Los Angeles Clippers at (6) San Antonio Spurs 9:30 p.m. ESPN Sunday, April 26 (3) Los Angeles Clippers at (6) San Antonio Spurs 3:30 p.m. ABC Tuesday, April 28* (6) San Antonio Spurs at (3) Los Angeles Clippers TBD TBD Thursday, April 30* (3) Los Angeles Clippers at (6) San Antonio Spurs TBD TBD Saturday, May 2* (6) San Antonio Spurs at (3) Los Angeles Clippers TBD TNT Sunday, April 19 (4) Portland Trail Blazers at (5) Memphis Grizzlies 8 p.m. TNT Wednesday, April 22 (4) Portland Trail Blazers at (5) Memphis Grizzlies 8 p.m. TNT Saturday, April 25 (5) Memphis Grizzlies at (4) Portland Trail Blazers 10:30 p.m. ESPN Monday, April 27 (5) Memphis Grizzlies at (4) Portland Trail Blazers 10:30 p.m. TNT Wednesday, April 29* (4) Portland Trail Blazers at (5) Memphis Grizzlies TBD TBD Friday, May 1* (5) Memphis Grizzlies at (4) Portland Trail Blazers TBD TBD Sunday, May 3* (4) Portland Trail Blazers at (5) Memphis Grizzlies TBD TBD

NBA.com

It's partially cheating to make predictions after the playoffs have already gotten underway, but here are my picks for each first-round series.

Predictions for 2015 NBA Playoffs First-Round Series (1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (8) Brooklyn Nets Hawks in five (4) Toronto Raptors vs. (5) Washington Wizards Wizards in six (2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Boston Celtics Cavs in four (3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks Bulls in five (1) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) Washington Wizards Warriors in five (4) Portland Trail Blazers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies in five (2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks Rockets in five (3) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (6) San Antonio Spurs Spurs in seven

Predictions by Mazique

Saturday's Standouts

Derrick Rose

Chicago Bulls fans had to be delighted in what they saw from Derrick Rose on Saturday. Inhis first playoff game since 2012, the city's pride and joy came through with 23 points and seven assists.

ESPN Stats and Info lauded Rose's shot selection.

More important than the numbers was Rose's energy and approach. He played aggressively, attacked the basket and looked to set up his teammates all game. It was a vintage Rose performance, the likes of which Bulls fans hadn't seen in quite a whilefrom their oft-injured star.

Needless to day, if Rose can continue to produce that type of effort, Chicago should sweep the Milwaukee Bucks.

Paul Pierce

Speaking of efficiency, Paul Pierce's performance on Saturday had the "e"word written all over it. He scored 20 points on just 10 shots from the field and keyed a third-quarter run that helped pushed the Washington Wizards to an 18-point lead over the Toronto Raptors.

For whatever reason, Washington got away from Pierce in the fourth quarter and the offense was stagnant. Pierce's job, for as long as Washington is active in the postseason, will be to get the tough buckets that his younger teammates aren't able to get.

On Saturday, he did that and got hot from the field in the process. When you consider John Wall and Bradley Beal shot a combined 11-for-41 from the field and the team still won in overtime on the road, it's clear the Raptors are in for a long series.

Stephen Curry

It might have been slightly surprising to see what Rose and Pierce did for their teams on Saturday, but there was nothing out of the ordinary about what the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry did.

The MVP candidate scored 34 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished five assists in leading the Warriors to victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

The scariest part about Curry's day is that he didn't even shoot the ball especially well. He made just four of his 13 three-point attempts. He also uncharacteristically missed three of seven free throws. With better games likely on the horizon, the Pels might have squandered their best chance to steal a game on the road in this series.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2435470-nba-playoffs-2015-schedule-game-times-and-predictions-for-1st-round-bracket

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