NEW YORK, (Reuters) – LeBron James scored 38 points, including a near-midcourt three-pointer, to spark the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 102-84 victory over the Detroit Pistons in their Eastern Conference playoff opener on Saturday.
James, who also had eight rebounds and seven assists, banked in the long three-pointer to give top-seeded Cleveland a 12-point lead. Eight-seeded Detroit never recovered.
In other opening action, the visiting Chicago Bulls shocked the defending champion Boston Celtics 105-103 in overtime behind rookie Derrick Rose’s 36 points and 11 assists.
The Dallas Mavericks, the West’s No. 6 seed, also pulled a surprise, defeating the third-seeded San Antonio Spurs 105-97. Josh Howard led Dallas with 25 points. Five team mates also scored in double figures.
Houston also won on the road. The fifth-seeded Rockets cruised past fourth-seeded Portland 108-81 as Aaron Brooks scored 27 points and Yao Ming, who hit all nine field goal attempts, had 24.
In Cleveland, James capped a 22-point first half with his momentum-building three-pointer.
“Once we let him get going downhill like that, game over,” the Pistons’ Tayshaun Price told reporters.
James launched the shot from a step inside midcourt.
“When it brings the house down, the crowd is going crazy….anytime you can make a shot like that,” he said.
Rodney Stuckey led Detroit with 20 points. Game two is on tomorrow in Cleveland.
In Boston, Chicago’s Rose tied Kareem-Abdul Jabbar’s NBA record for most points scored by a player in their first playoff game.
Boston, the No. 2 seed in the East, could have won the game in regulation but Paul Pierce missed a free throw with two seconds remaining and the score tied.
Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 29 points and Pierce added 23. Game two is today in Boston.
In San Antonio, the Mavericks won a battle of Texas teams by outscoring the Spurs 31-23 in the fourth quarter.
Dirk Nowitzki contributed 19 points and eight rebounds to the win. Tim Duncan had 27 points and Tony Parker scored 24 for San Antonio, which hosts game two today.
In Portland, the Rockets built an 18-point lead and pushed the margin to 27 in the third quarter when the Trail Blazers scored only 14 points.
Brandon Roy had 21 points for the Trail Blazers. Game two is Portland tomorrow.
