LeBron has Magical playoff debut
LeBron James had an NBA playoff debut that was simply Magical.
Showcasing his spectacular skills as a pro in the postseason for the first time, James recorded a triple-double and brought the Cleveland Cavaliers back to the playoffs in style with a 97-86 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday in Cleveland.
James finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, becoming the first player since Magic Johnson to post a triple-double in his first playoff game.
“It’s a great class to be in,” James said.
If Game 1 of his playoff resume was any indication, James may one day be in a class by himself.
Over 48 minutes, the 21-year-old, who is battling a cold, did a little of everything to help the Cavaliers land the first blow it what could be a lengthy series between the Nos. 4 and 5 seeds in the Eastern Conference.
James is just the third player in history to get a triple-double in his playoff debut. Johnson (13 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists) did it for the Los Angeles Lakers on April 8, 1980, and Johnny McCarthy (13 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) had one for St. Louis on March 16, 1960.
Cleveland’s first game back in the playoffs since 1998 – when James was a seventh-grader – couldn’t have gone much better.
James got plenty of help from his supporting cast as Donyell Marshall added 19 points, Eric Snow 14 and Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Flip Murray 10 apiece for the Cavs.
Spurs 122, Kings 88: At San Antonio, the Spurs got their NBA title defense off to a blazing start with 25 points from speedy Tony Parker and a surprising boost from Nick Van Exel, who scored 11 points in the decisive second quarter.
San Antonio’s fleet-footed point guards led a 41-15 run in that quarter, staking the Spurs to a 34-point halftime lead.
Heat 111, Bulls 106: At Miami, Dwyane Wade scored 30 points, including six straight in the fourth quarter to lead the Heat back from their only deficit of the night, and added 11 assists to help Miami take Game 1 of their Eastern Conference series.
Shaquille O’Neal added a monster night with 27 points and 16 rebounds for Miami.
Miami forward Udonis Haslem was ejected late in the first half after throwing his mouthpiece in the direction of referee Joey Crawford.
Clippers 89, Nuggets 87: At Los Angeles, Elton Brand had 21 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots in the first playoff game of his career, veteran Sam Cassell added 19 points and seven assists, and the Clippers beat Denver.
Two free throws by Vladimir Radmanovic with 59.8 seconds left snapped an 87-all tie, and Denver’s Carmelo Anthony missed three shots after that, including one as time expired.