The China Mail - Thunder thrash Suns, Celtics crush Sixers in NBA playoff openers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player and Finals MVP, scored 25 points, connecting on just five of 18 from the field but drilling 15 of his 17 free throw attempts.

He added seven assists and two blocked shots before sitting out the entire fourth quarter.

Jalen Williams added 22 points and Chet Homgren scored 16 for the Thunder, who are trying to become the first team since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 to repeat as champions.

They wasted no time in seizing control in front of a revved crowd at the Paycom Center, leading by as many as 25 on the way to a 21-point halftime lead and by as many as 39 in the fourth quarter.

Devin Booker scored 23 points for Phoenix, but the Suns, who scraped through the play-in to claim the Western Conference eighth seed, were largely helpless against a Thunder team that amassed the best record in the league with 64 regular-season wins.

"It was a great defensive performance," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "I thought the guys were really competitive, played on a string, great communication, covered for each other. (It) wasn't perfect, but we had each other's backs.

"We forced them to earn everything."

The Thunder will try to double their advantage when they host game two of the best-of-seven series on Wednesday.

- 'Incredible feeling' -

In Boston, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 51 points as the Celtics led wire to wire in a 123-91 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The indomitable duo took full advantage of the Sixers' dire shooting struggles to secure the Celtics' largest-ever margin of victory in a playoff opener.

Tatum led the charge, racking up 21 points in the first half. It was Brown's turn to go on the rampage after the break, pouring in 16 points in the third quarter alone to take the game beyond Philadelphia's grasp.

Both men sat out most of the final quarter, resting up for Tuesday's home game before the Eastern Conference series moves to Philadelphia.

In one of the NBA's classic rivalries, Boston have won their last six post-season series against the Sixers -- a streak that goes back to the 1985 Eastern Conference finals.

Tatum showed no ill effects from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered almost a year ago, exhibiting why his return has made the surging Celtics many pundits' pick for this year's NBA title.

"It's an incredible feeling. You know, not too long ago I wasn't even sure if I was going to be able to play this season -- let alone get an opportunity to play in the playoffs," said Tatum, who finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

"Today was probably the most excited and, like, relaxed and grateful I've been in ... my nine years of being in the playoffs."

Later Sunday, the East's top-seeded Detroit Pistons host the Orlando Magic before the San Antonio Spurs -- with Victor Wembanyama getting his first taste of NBA playoff action -- host the Portland Trail Blazers.

V.Liu--ThChM