Celtics Open Play-offs With Heat Win

The Boston Celtics started their NBA play-off campaign with a 114-94 win over the Miami Heat.

Jayson Tatum’s triple-double helped the top seeds to lead throughout against last season’s losing finalists.

The Heat entered the play-offs as the number eight seeds after beating the Chicago Bulls in a play-in eliminator.

But without injured star player Jimmy Butler, the Heat found the Celtics too strong in the opener to the best-of-seven series.

Tatum scored 23 points, had 10 rebounds and provided 10 assists – and was one of six players to score double figures for Boston, but warned his side they “can’t relax” against the team which eliminated them from the play-offs last year.

There are 16 teams in the first round of the play-offs, playing best-of-seven series in a knockout format.

The eight winners go through to the next round.

James Harden scored 28 points for the Los Angeles Clippers as they beat the Dallas Mavericks 109-97 in the first game of their series.

Damian Lillard scored all 35 of his points in the first half as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Indiana Pacers 109-94 despite the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder to help them to a thrilling 94-92 win against the New Orleans Pelicans.