Magic surprised Pistons; Thunder, Celtics and Spurs confirmed their favorites in the NBA playoffs

Orlando Magic gave the only surprise of the first games of the NBA playoff series with its victory against Detroit Pistonswhile this Sunday three favorites demonstrated their superiority: Oklahoma City Thunder about Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics against Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs facing Portland Trail Blazers.

Banchero led the Magic against Cunningham’s Pistons

Paolo Banchero scored 23 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished out 4 assists to lead the Eighth-seeded Orlando Magic to 112-101 victory over Detroit Pistonsthe top seed, in Game 1 of their first-round series, extending the longest home playoff losing streak in NBA history.

Detroit has lost 11 consecutive home games in the postseason, a drought that dates back to 2008.

The Pistons will have another chance against Orlando on Wednesday night in Game 2.

Detroit’s Cade Cunningham scored a playoff-high 39 points and Tobias Harris added 17 for the Pistons, but the rest of his teammates were discreet on offense.

Franz Wagner scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory for the Magic, who never trailed. Orlando’s Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter each scored 17 points and Jalen Suggs added 16.

The Pistons, who finished as the East leaders with 60 wins, did not advance beyond the first round of the playoffs in 18 years and the Magic have not done so since 2010.

The Thunder, overwhelming against the Suns

Oklahoma City Thunder began the defense of their title with a comprehensive 119-84 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the first game of their Western Conference first-round playoff series, with 25 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The reigning league MVP was just 5 of 18 from the field, but was 15 of 17 from the free throw line before resting for the entire fourth quarter.

Jalen Williams scored 22 points and Chet Holmgren added 16 for the top-seeded Thunder, who host Game 2 on Wednesday.

Devin Booker scored 23 points and Dillon Brooks added 18 on 6-of-22 shooting for the Suns, who shot 34.9% from the field. Jalen Green, who scored 35 and 36 points in Phoenix’s two play-in games, finished with 17 on 6-of-16 shooting.

It was the third consecutive year in which the Thunder obtained the first seed and had to wait for the play-in to end to find out their first-round rival.

With a great Tatum, the Celtics beat the Sixers

Jayson Tatum had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists in his first playoff game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon last season, and Boston Celtics defeated Philaelphia 76ers 123-91 in the first game of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and Neemias Queta added 13 for the East’s second-seeded Celtics.

Tatum scored 21 points in the first half, in just his 17th game this season following surgery he underwent last May to repair his Achilles tendon.

Boston was never behind on the scoreboard and opened a lead of 35 points, with coach Joe Mazzulla distributing minutes among 12 players. The Celtics, who made 16 three-pointers, will be home again on Tuesday in the second game of the series.

Tyrese Maxey contributed 21 points and 8 assists for the Sixers, who played without Joel Embiid. The 2023 MVP continues to recover following an April 9 appendectomy and it is still unclear when he will be able to return.

Paul George scored 17 points and VJ Edgecombe added 13. Philadelphia was 4 of 23 on 3-point attempts.

Wembanyama’s great debut in the playoffs for the victory of the Spurs

Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his playoff debut and San Antonio Spurs defeated Portland Trail Blazers 111-98 in the first game of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.

Wembanyama’s 21 first-half points set an NBA record for most in a halftime in a playoff debut since the league’s play-by-play era began in 1997. His 35 total points set a Spurs franchise record for most in a postseason debut, surpassing Tim Duncan’s 32 in 1998.

Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox each scored 17 points and combined for 15 assists for San Antonio.

Deni Avdija added 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead Portland, which reached this key thanks to its victory against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the play-in. Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft behind Wembanyama and Charlotte’s Brandon Miller, had 18 points.

Game 2 will be Tuesday night in San Antonio, before the series moves to Portland for the next two games.

The Spurs enjoyed their first playoff game since 2019. The six-season postseason drought came on the heels of San Antonio winning five NBA championships while appearing in 22 consecutive postseasons, tying a league record. Spurs fans are now dreaming big again with Wembanyama, a finalist for the NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards.