NBA Playoffs: Wizards, Warriors, Bulls, Rockets Take Series Openers As Playoffs Begin

Four games were played on Saturday as the National Basketball Association Playoffs commenced.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Toronto:

Paul Pierce scored five of his 20 points in overtime as the Washington Wizards knocked off the homestanding Toronto Raptors 93-86 in the opening contest of their conference quarterfinal series. Bradley Beal helped the Wizards with 16 points, nine rebounds, and six assits.


At Chicago:

In his first playoff game in three years, Derrick Rose scored 23 points while Jimmy Butler paced all scorers with 25 as the Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks 103-91 in the opening game of their best-of-seven opening-round series.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Oakland, California:

The Golden State Warriors opened their conference quarterfinal series by holding off the visiting New Orleans Pelicans 106-99.  Stephen Curry scored 34 points to pace the Warriors while Klay Thompson added 21.  Anthony Davis paced the Pelicans with 35 points while Qunicy Pondexter added 20 while grabbing nine rebounds.

At Houston:

James Harden scored 24 points and dished out 11 assists as the Houston Rockets, with seven players scoring in double-figures, defeated the visiting Dallas Mavericks 118-108 in the opening match of their first-round series. Dirk Nowitski paced the Mavs with 24 points.