Author: Brad Botkin

Kim O’Reilly, CBS Sports

Every second-round series in the 2024 NBA playoffs is now underway. The Celtics and Thunder, the top seeds in the East and West, respectively, both picked up Game 1 wins on Tuesday night. Boston pulled away from the Cavaliers, while Oklahoma City kept Luka Doncic quiet in a victory against the Mavericks.

The other two second-round series got started before Tuesday, and the reigning champs find themselves in a serious hole. The Nuggets are in trouble against the Timberwolves after a blowout loss in Monday’s Game 2. The Wolves are up 2-0 over Nikola Jokic and the 2023 champs, and they’ll head home with a chance to pull off a sweep at the Target Center.

Over in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks jumped out to a 1-0 lead in their second-round series against the

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The New York Knicks won Game 1 of their second-round series vs the Indiana Pacers on Monday and they have a few people to thank for it: Jalen Brunson, namely, who finished with 43 points for his fourth straight 40-point game, Donte DiVincenzo, who finished with 25 points and five 3s, and Josh Hart, who continued his incredible postseason play with 24 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals and a block. 

Isaiah Hartenstein was again superb. 

OG Anunoby matched Hartenstein’s 13 points and hit three 3s. 

New York was great. It won the game. None of that is disputed. 

But there are a three other names who also played an indisputable role in determining the outcome of this game: Zach Zarba. Sean Wright and Tyler Ford. These were the officials for Game 1, and without