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Things to know about the NBA playoffs, which start Saturday

Things to know about the NBA playoffs, which start Saturday

The Boston Celtics had almost no trouble at all with the 14 teams that didn’t make the playoffs this season, going 35-4 against those squads. Against the teams that actually made the postseason, the Celtics were really good as well.
Ingram, Valanciunas lift Zion-less Pelicans past Kings and into the playoffs

Ingram, Valanciunas lift Zion-less Pelicans past Kings and into the playoffs

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Hustle plays and production from up and down the lineup helped the New Orleans Pelicans overcome the absence of leading-scorer Zion Williamson, keep their season alive and avoid a historically significant loss.

Thunder start playoffs against the Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans (49-33, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25, first in the Western Conference) Oklahoma City; Sunday, 9:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Thunder -7.5; over/under is 214.

Celtics kick off playoffs against the Heat

Miami Heat (46-36, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (64-18, first in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Celtics -13.5; over/under is 208.

Lillard and the Bucks host Indiana to start playoffs

Indiana Pacers (47-35, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (49-33, third in the Eastern Conference) Milwaukee; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Pacers -1.5; over/under is 231.

Doncic and the Mavericks visit Los Angeles to start playoffs

Dallas Mavericks (50-32, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (51-31, fourth in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Mavericks -2; over/under is 223.
Heat beat Bulls 112-91 to secure the eighth seed for second straight year

Heat beat Bulls 112-91 to secure the eighth seed for second straight year

MIAMI (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 24 points and was an assist shy of a triple-double, rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Previewing the 1st round of the NBA playoffs, which start on Saturday

Previewing the 1st round of the NBA playoffs, which start on Saturday

Preview capsules for the first round of the NBA playoffs, which start Saturday. ___ EASTERN CONFERENCE No. 1 BOSTON CELTICS (64-18) vs. No. 8 MIAMI HEAT (46-36) Season series: Celtics, 3-0. Story line: Here they go again, sort of.
The NBA playoffs are finally here. And as LeBron James says, 'it's a sprint now'

The NBA playoffs are finally here. And as LeBron James says, 'it's a sprint now'

There’s a 64-win team in Boston that ran away with the league’s best record. The defending champions in Denver, a group that won 57 games. A fearless young bunch in Oklahoma City, whose No. 1 seed was no fluke.
The Heat are headed to Boston after ousting the Bulls 112-91 in East play-in finale

The Heat are headed to Boston after ousting the Bulls 112-91 in East play-in finale

MIAMI (AP) — The chants started raining down in the fourth quarter. “We want Boston,” the Miami Heat crowd kept shouting, over and over. The fans got their wish. And a rematch of the last two Eastern Conference finals awaits in Round 1 this year.