AROUND THE NBA | Saturday’s playoff games

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Nets 111, 76ers 102

PHILADELPHIA

D’Angleo Russell flashed some postseason magic, playing like the All-Star leader Brooklyn needed with 26 points, and Caris LeVert scored 23 to lead the Nets to an impressive win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Jimmy Butler scored 36 points and saved the Sixers from losing by 25. Joel Embiid slogged his way through 24 forgettable minutes on his bum left knee. Ben Simmons was a postseason dud against Russell, his high school teammate.

Magic 104, Raptors 101

TORONTO

D.J. Augustin scored 25 points, including the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3.5 seconds left, and the Orlando Magic beat the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of their first-round series. Kawhi Leonard got a final shot for Toronto, but missed the rim with his 3-pointer from the top. Aaron Gordon had 10 points and 10 rebounds, Evan Fournier scored 16 points and Jonathan Isaac had 11 as the No. 7-seeded Magic became the latest team to beat Toronto in the opening game of a playoff series. Leonard scored 25 points, Pascal Siakam had 24 and Fred VanVleet had 14 for the second-seeded Raptors.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Warriors 121, Clippers 104

OAKLAND, CALIF.

Stephen Curry scored 38 points and made eight 3-pointers to give him the most in postseason history, and the top-seeded Golden State Warriors began their quest for a three-peat by running away from the frustrated Los Angeles Clippers. Kevin Durant and Patrick Beverley were ejected with 4:41 to go, just 19 seconds after they received double-technicals. They both became enraged again and official Ed Malloy immediately sent them both to the locker room.Curry shot 8 for 12 from deep to pass Ray Allen (385) for career postseason 3s with 386, had a postseason career-high 15 rebounds, seven assists and the 31st 30-point postseason performance of his career.

Associated Press