NBA postseason guide: Schedule, stories, betting odds, how to watch and more
Welcome to the NBA playoffs, Victor Wembanyama.
You too, Orlando Magic.
Wembanyama and the Spurs won their first playoff game in seven years on Sunday night, topping the Portland Trail Blazers for a 1-0 lead in their Western Conference series.
But there was a surprise in the Eastern Conference — the eighth-seeded Magic going into Detroit and beating the top-seeded Pistons in Game 1. Under the current 16-team playoff format, which has been in use since 1984, No. 8 seeds are now just 17-71 all-time in Game 1s against No. 1 seeds.
It’s a game No. 8 seeds are supposed to lose. Nobody ever told the Magic of that policy. They’re now 3-1 all-time in those 8-vs-1 series openers — and no other team in the NBA has more than two such wins.
Monday’s schedule features three games: Toronto at Cleveland, Atlanta at New York and Minnesota at Denver.
Sunday recaps
— Celtics 123, 76ers 91 to take 1-0 series lead.
— Thunder 119, Suns 84 to take 1-0 series lead.
— Magic 112, Pistons 101 to take 1-0 series lead. Another home flop for Detroit.
— Spurs 111, Trail Blazers 98 to take 1-0 series lead.
Stories of note
— NBA individual awards finalists are announced
— Kerr unsure if he’ll coach Warriors next season
— Some news and notes going into the postseason
— Playoff preview: Thunder seeking another title
— Heat equipment manager needs organ transplants
— Natalie Sago the 3rd female ref picked for playoffs
— The view from Vegas says the West is the best
Awards watch
Awards season in the NBA starts Monday.
The finalists were unveiled Sunday night, led by the top three in the MVP voting — reigning winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City, three-time winner Nikola Jokic of Denver and first-time finalist Victor Wembanyama of San Antonio.
The schedule for announcements:
— Monday, Defensive Player of the Year (6 p.m. EDT, Peacock/NBCSN). Finalists: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio; Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City; Ausar Thompson, Detroit.
— Tuesday, Clutch Player (6 p.m. EDT, Peacock/NBCSN). Finalists: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City; Jamal Murray, Denver.
— Wednesday, Sixth Man (6 p.m. EDT, ESPN). Finalists: Tim Hardaway Jr., Denver; Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami; Keldon Johnson, San Antonio.
— Thursday, Sportsmanship Award (Noon EDT, https://x.com/NBAPR)
— Friday, Most Improved Player (6:30 p.m. EDT, Prime). Finalists: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta; Deni Avdija, Portland; Jalen Duren, Detroit.
And the announcements that won’t be until next week, at the earliest:
— MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City; Nikola Jokic, Denver; Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio.
— Coach of the Year: J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit; Mitch Johnson, San Antonio; Joe Mazzulla, Boston.
— Rookie of the Year: VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia; Cooper Flagg, Dallas; Kon Knueppel, Charlotte.
Monday’s games
7 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Toronto at Cleveland (Peacock/NBCSN)
8 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Atlanta at New York (NBC/Peacock)
10:30 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Minnesota at Denver (NBC/Peacock)
Tuesday’s games
7 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Philadelphia at Boston (Peacock/NBCSN)
8 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Portland at San Antonio (NBC/Peacock)
10:30 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Houston at LA Lakers (NBC/Peacock)
Wednesday’s games
7 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Orlando at Detroit (ESPN)
9:30 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Phoenix at Oklahoma City (ESPN)
Betting odds
Defending champion Oklahoma City (+105) is favored to win the NBA title, according to oddsmakers.
The Thunder are followed by San Antonio (+500), Boston (+550), Denver (+800), Cleveland (+1700) and New York (+1700).
Detroit, the No. 1 seed in the East but now the fourth betting choice on that side of the bracket, is +2800. The Los Angeles Lakers (+8000) and Houston (+9000) are next.
Key dates
— May 2, 3 or 4: Conference semifinals begin.
— May 10: NBA draft lottery.
— May 10-17: NBA draft combine.
— May 17 or 19: Eastern Conference finals begin on ESPN and ABC.
— May 18 or 20: Western Conference finals begin on NBC and Peacock.
— June 3: Game 1, NBA Finals on ABC. (Other finals dates: June 5, June 8, June 10, June 13, June 16 and June 19).
— June 23: Round 1, NBA draft
— June 24: Round 2, NBA draft
Quote of the day
— “Whatever story you told yourself during the regular season, that story is done. And now it’s the playoffs. So, it’s an entirely new season.” — Magic coach Jamahl Mosley, after Orlando won Game 1 in Detroit.
Stats of the day
— Phoenix’s 35-point loss to Oklahoma City on Sunday was the Suns’ worst in a playoff game since a 44-point loss to Seattle in 1997.
— Victor Wembanyama (35 points, five rebounds) is the fifth player to have those numbers in a playoff debut. The others? Wilt Chamberlain (35-27), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (36-20), Luka Doncic (42-7) and Anthony Davis (35-7).
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba