“Kings and Knicks upset champions in NBA playoffs opener”

It seemed like a lopsided tie, at least if you looked at precedent and recent history. The champions, the Golden State Warriors, against some applicants who had not set foot on the ground for a long time playoffs of the NBA, some Sacramento Kings who, however, have made it clear that they are not passing through. They explained that in the early hours of this Saturday in their pavilion, a triumph for everything great and to celebrate theirs (126-123).

It turns out that since 2006 that the Kings did not reach the playoffs, then eliminated (4-2) by Spurs in the first round. But that gave De’Aaron Fox (38 points) as much in his premiere at the seniors matchesand show irrepressible that accompanied Malik Monk (32). Too much for Stephen Curry’s team and the project governed by Steve Kerr, who added 18 series won in the West for no defeat in a row, who discounted and dispatched their rivals without ruffling their hair. It will no longer be like that, at least against the Kings, who always put on a show. “We keep going. Flying over the runway, sticking to the plan. I liked how we played for most of the game. I like where we are. We’ll have to win in Sacramento at least once. So … why not the second game? ”, sentenced Curry, the last MVP of the finals.

A similar revelry was experienced in New York because the Knicks were able to beat the Cavaliers (97-101) at home to sign their first laurel in the first game of the series for the first time in 24 years -it was in 1999 against the Pacers of triple shooter Reggie Miller-, then the impulse that earned them to reach the NBA final. Two and a half decades later, Jalen Brunson (27 points) and the ability to prevail on the rebound -51 for 38- have been enough for the team from the Big Apple to knock down the jinx and, incidentally, acquire the field advantage in a elimination of the most even. It happens, however, that the Knicks still have another burden to overcome; since 2013 the team has not passed a round of the playoffs.

76ers and Celtis strike first

In the other two games this morning, the 76ers ripped the Nets from three-pointers (121-101), as they scored 21 of 43 attempts, a new record for the Philadelphia team in a game of playoffs. Credit, in part, to a sensational James Harden, who added 23 points and a remarkable 7 of 13 shots from the perimeter in addition to 13 assists. Embiid, with 26 points and Harris with 21 put the finishing touch.

The Celtics did the same against the Hawks (112-99), determined to sign a similar or better path to the one harvested in the previous year with the runner-up. Tatum (25 points) from the start, followed later by Brown (29) and White (24) were too much for the Atlanta team, only spurred on by Dejounte Murray (24) who will have to get into tune quickly if he wants to put the shamrock team in trouble.

You can follow EL PAÍS Sports on Facebook y Twitterpoint here to receive our weekly newsletter.