NBA PLAYOFFS
Surprise: Nets roll in opener
The sixth-seeded Nets turned Philly in the city of 20,000 boos — and that’s just counting the ones echoing throughout the Wells Fargo Center — as they smoked a 76ers team that resembled one straight out of the early Process era.
Jimmy Butler scored 36 points and saved the 76ers, widely considered a favorite to at least reach the East semis, from losing by 25. Joel Embiid slogged his way through 24 forgettable minutes on his bum left knee. Ben Simmons was a postseason dud against Russell, his high school teammate.
Russell, LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie gave the 76ers fits off the dribble, buried open looks from 3-point range, and suddenly a team that got hot late just to make the playoffs has the upper-hand on the road over a 51-win team stocked with stars.
Aaron Gordon had 10 points and 10 rebounds, Evan Fournier scored 16 points and Jonathan Isaac had 11 as the seventh-seeded Magic became the latest team to beat the Raptors in the opening game of a playoff series.
The Raptors are 2-14 in playoff openers.
Kevin Durant and Patrick Beverley were ejected late after receiving double-technicals.
Curry shot 8 for 12 from deep to pass Ray Allen (385) for career postseason 3s with 386, had a postseason career-high 15 boards, seven assists and the 31st 30-point postseason game of his career.