NBA playoffs wrap: No.1 seeds Golden State, Boston in action

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Wall dominates for Wizards0:27

NBA: Washington have taken a 1-0 series lead over Atlanta on the back of John Wall's 32 points and 14 assists.

• April 17th 2017
• a day ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/News/

Steph Curry dominated for Golden State as the Warriors defeated the Portland Trailblazers in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series. Picture: AP

HOUSTON has drawn first blood in the battle of the NBA’s MVP favourites, James Harden’s Rockets blowing out Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder to take a 1-0 lead in their first round playoff series.

Harden led the way for the Rockets with a 37-point, nine-assist, seven-rebound, three-steal tour de force that powered the home side to a 118-87 win over the his former club and superstar ex-teammate.

James Harden drops two of his in leading the Rockets to victory. Picture: APSource:AP

The Rockets clamped down on the Thunder in the third, extending a five-point half-time lead to 15 at the final break.

They never looked back.

Westbrook, worn __like a glove by pesky defensive guard Pat Beverley, took an array of low percentage shots throughout the match up, finishing with 22 points on just six of 23 shooting, adding 11 boards and seven dimes.

Beverley got rocked. 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/MCMb0NL1hc

— Leading NBA ™ (@LeadingNBA_) April 17, 2017

Beverley, who survived being annihilated by a bone crunching screen from towering Kiwi Steven Adams, drained four three-pointers on his way to 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Harden and Westbrook will have to wait until June 26 — after the NBA Finals — to find out who the MVP is, provided the result isn’t leaked prior.

It was a tough night at the office for Russell Westbrook, who was harrassed by one of the games best small defenders in Pat Beverley. Picture: APSource:AP

In Oakland, Portland wing CJ McCollum tied a Blazers playoff franchise record for points in a half, but it was not enough to overcome NBA title favourite Golden State in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series.

McCollum was unstoppable for Portland, drilling 27 in the first half on his way to a game-high 41 points and had plenty of help from backcourt mate Damian Lillard, who scorched with 34, but the combined talents of the Warriors were too hot to handle in a 121-109 result.

With scores all square at the last break, the Warriors showed why they finished the season with the best record in the NBA, putting on the afterburners to stretch the final margin to 12.

Draymond Green and Kevin Durant were dominant for the Warriors. Picture: APSource:AP

Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum gave the Warriors everything they could handle. Picture: APSource:AP

Kevin Durant led the way with 32 points and 10 rebounds in his playoff debut with the Warriors, while reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry dropped 29 points and was a perfect eight of eight from the charity stripe.

But it was Draymond Green’s near triple-double that stole the show for the Warriors, the Defensive Player of the Year favourite doing it all at both ends of the floor on the way to 19 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, five blocks and three steals.

The Blazers leant heavily on their starters and for good reason — they only got nine points off the bench. It was an admirable effort, given star big man Jusuf Nurkic was unable to go, thanks to a fractured leg that has caused him to miss the past seven games.

Steph Curry had all the answers for Golden State. Picture: APSource:AP

The Chicago Bulls upset the eastern conference No.1 seeded Celtics in an emotion-charged clash in Boston.

A day removed from the death of his sister in a tragic car accident, tiny star Isaiah Thomas stood in tears as fans and players observed a minute’s silence.

Isaiah Thomas during moment of silence for his sister Heartbreaking, pic.twitter.com/Du0oW3PYjs

— gifdsports (@gifdsports) April 16, 2017

Isaiah Thomas during pregame warmups just one day after his sister's tragic death 😢 pic.twitter.com/ujPgmvYVG4

— NO CHILL SPORTS (@NoChiIlSports) April 16, 2017

Isaiah Thomas is rocking these tonight #RIPChyna pic.twitter.com/Yl5TGKlGdm

— NBA RETWEET (@RTNBA) April 17, 2017

Thomas overcame the crippling emotion to score a game-high 33 points, but it was the Bulls who pulled out the topsy-turvy clash by just four points, 106-102.

Jimmy Butler poured in 30 points to go with nine boards for the Bulls, while young buck Bobby Portis had 19 off the bench.

Al Horford had 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for a Celtics side that was slaughtered on the glass, 53-36.

Isaiah Thomas overcame the death of his sister to pour in 33 points, but it wasn’t enough for the Celtics.. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:AFP

Earlier, John Wall taught the Atlanta Hawks a basketball lesson as the Washington Wizards rolled to a 114-107 victory.

Wall was the architect of everything good the Wizards did, lacing his game-high 32 points with 14 assists and four boards.

John Wall was money for the Wizards all night. Picture: Getty Images/AFPSource:AFP

Wing pairing Bradley Beal (22) and Markieff Morris (21) gave solid offensive support as the Wizards dropped 38 points in the championship quarter and missed just one of their 17 free throws to ensure the win.

Dennis Schroder had 25 points and nine dimes for the Hawks.

Originally published as Harden, Rockets win battle of MVP hopefuls