Nets-Celtics have lived up to the hype, plus the Warriors prove they’re still dangerous

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JAYSON TATUM AND BOSTON CELTICS

Last week, ours NBA expert Jasmyn Wimbish ranked Celtics-Nets as Best first match in the NBA knockouts. In game 1 yesterday, it reached that rank. Jayson Tatum put in a spin layup when the time expires like Boston tops Brooklyn, 115-114.

The Nets was able to break out of a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter largely thanks to the heroism of Irving, but the last three assets were a Brown diagram, a great defense from Boston and then the Win the game of Tatum. It’s the Celtics at their best, exactly when they need itOur NBA expert James Herbert writes:

• Herbert: “On these key possessions, all the best traits of the Celtics are on display. They put on the field a formation with no weak links in defense – Smart, White, Brown, Tatum and Horford – and all need to communicate, improvise, stay poised and unselfish.Horford said he prides himself on the team’s composure and Smart describes the results as ‘complete’ as they have shown. tenacity. “

It feels like the Celtics need this because they are playing at home, they have the advantage left and Durant struggles. Complete mission.

Honorable mention

And not a good morning for…

THE MAVERICKS DALLAS…

All of Luka Doncic can do in Mavericks ‘lost 99-93 to Jazz on Saturday has been viewed. Unfortunately for Dallas, that is same trend for game 2 tonight.

• Doncic is “unlikely” to play as he is still dealing with a strain on his left calf muscle.
• He got injured in the last game of the season.
• If you recall, that game doesn’t even matter in the final ranking.

Doncic backups failed on Saturday, and they will need to change things up tonightOur NBA expert Sam Quinn writes.

• Quinn: “If Mavericks keep playing Luka ball without Luka, they will lose. Spencer Dinwiddie and Jalen Brunson can’t come close to what he does. If the Mavs are going to make this competitive until their best player returns, they will have to find a way to make their offensive behavior a little more equal. “

… AND IS NOT A GOOD MORNING FOR TORONTO RAPTORS TORONTO

The Mavericks are not the only team to suffer significant injuries. Predators star rookie Scottie Barnes (fish’s eyes) is a doubt for tonight’s Game 2 against the 76ers.

• Joel Embiid stepped on Barnes’ foot in the fourth quarter of game Saturday.
• At that point, Barnes had 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
• Barnes is one of three rookies over the past 10 years to average 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal. The other two are Doncic and Ben Simmonsboth won Rookie of the Year.

Make things worse, Thaddeus Young (left thumb hypotension) and Gary Trent Jr. (non-COVID disease) is also suspicious.

Combatant the stars get help from Jordan Poole to win game 1 miner

If someone abbreviated Combatant After the last few weeks of the regular season were up and down, Game 1 showed you why it wasn’t wise. Golden State dominates Denver, 123-107in an all-out effort.

• Stephen the curry returned after a one-month absence with a foot injury and scored 16 points from the bench.
• Klay Thompson there are 19, and Draymond Green did a bit of everything with 12 points, six rebounds, nine assists and three blocks.
• But it’s a new face, Jordan Poolethe leader with 30 points.

The Warriors built a dynasty on the backs of Curry, Thompson, and Green. In the future, they hope the likes of Poole (among other young people) will help continue that dynasty. Currently, two eras are working together towards one titleOur Colin Ward-Henninger writes.

• Ward-Henninger: “Let’s start with the old one. Curry, Thompson, Green, Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney played in the same game for the first time since the 2019 Finals, almost three years ago. The quintet has more titles than an 18th-century English aristocrat, and all their skills and wonders are on display in game 1 win. … Poole passed his test with flying colors, as he has done since last season’s final game, and credits his trusted veterans for smoothing too converter to knockout basketball. “

From 2014-15 to 2018-19, the Warriors reached 5 consecutive Finals and won 3. They then missed out on the knockout stages two seasons in a row, allowing them to add in young talent – and hopefully their veterans can finally bring the band back together for more. high expectations after the season. A game in, they’re on the right track.

Jordan Spieth beat RBC Heritage in playoffs

Jordan Spieth To be back to the winner’s circle for the first time in over a year after defeat Patrick Cantlay into the first playoff hole to claim the RBC Legacy. This is the second straight season Spieth has won on Easter Sunday – he also took home the Valero Texas Open champion last holiday.

Spieth struggled hard with his putter and, entering yesterday, led 54 holes Harold Varner III by three strokes. But Spieth hit two of his first five holes on line 66, and on the first playoff hole he hit a stunning sandblast that was inches away to save par. When Cantlay missed his extended par, Spieth claimed the 13th PGA Tour win of his career. This victory can create a springboard for Spieth to move onour golf insider Kyle Porter writes.

• Porters: “There’s a lot at stake with the season only half over and his tee-to-green game (where he’s topped the field in two of the last three events) seems to have ended. He still has three major championships on the deck, including that high-stakes PGA as well as the Old Course at St. Andrews, where he completed the playoff hit back in 2015. When you get into the main league after that, there’s even more excitement.After two consecutive wins on Easter, next year’s Holiday falls on a weekend that could make a three-time champion major champion: Masters Sunday cares.”

Roki Sasaki almost threw another perfect game