Basketball

Oh, what a Monday night in the NBA playoffs! The Knicks were down 20 on the road against the defending champions. The Nuggets were down 14 on the road against this year's title favorites.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Russell Westbrook had yet another magic moment in Oklahoma City. This time, it was for the visitors.

Denver Nuggets (50-32, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14, first in the Western Conference) Oklahoma City; Wednesday, 9:30 p.m.

New York Knicks (51-31, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (61-21, second in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -10; over/under is 210.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Nikola Jokic showed why he's a finalist for another MVP award with his historic stat line. But with Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals at stake, the ball again found Aaron Gordon's hands. Gordon hit a 3-pointer with 2.

BOSTON (AP) — The Knicks grew accustomed to facing big deficits against the Celtics this season. New York faced another one to open its Eastern Conference semifinal matchup against the defending NBA champions.

BOSTON (AP) — Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis didn't play in the second half of Boston's loss to the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals because of an illness.

Kenny Atkinson went through a winless preseason with the Cleveland Cavaliers and wondered if his team would be any good. Turns out, they were better than good. And their coach — he was the NBA's best this season.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — During a team meeting the night before a win-or-go-home game for Golden State, Draymond Green had the floor.

Kenny Atkinson's biggest concern going into Cleveland's Eastern Conference semifinal series against Indiana was trying to match up against the Pacers' quick-tempo offense.