UNDATED (AP) — The Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks opened their NBA playoff schedules with victories yesterday. Jayson Tatum’s buzzer-beater gave the Celtics a 115-114 win over Brooklyn, and Chris Paul delivered 19 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter of the Suns’ 110-99 victory against New Orleans. Duncan Robinson set a Heat playoff record with eight 3-pointers in a 115-91 romp over Atlanta, and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s (YAH’-nihs an-teh-tah-KOON’-pohz) helped the Bucks hold off the Bulls, 93-86.
NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has announced the finalists for some of its major individual awards. Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON’-poh), Philadelphia center Joel Embiid (joh-EHL’ ehm-BEED’) and Denver center Nikola Jokić (nih-KOH’-lah YOH’-kihch) are the three finalists for the MVP Award. The Rookie of the Year Award is down to Toronto forward Scottie Barnes, Detroit guard Cade Cunningham and Cleveland forward Evan Mobley.