Champs take a clip to the ear
TweetDAY Two of the NBA playoffs wasn't quite as good for our Aussie contingent with Patty Mills and Aron Baynes a part of San Antonio's title defence which started with a loss in LA.
But while Matthew Dellavedova only scored one basket for Cleveland in its Eastern Conference opener against the Boston Celtics, it was a spinning doozy which had social media buzzing.
For the Cavs, Kyrie Irving's playoff debut netted him 30 points, LeBron James with 20 in his first postseason game with Cleveland in five years.
The Cavaliers started their title run with a 113-100 victory over the Boston Celtics, Kevin Love, another postseason rookie, with a 19-point, 12-rebound double double.
In Atlanta, the hometown Hawks beat Brooklyn 99-92 to open their campaign, Kyle Korver scoring 21 points, including five 3-pointers.
Atlanta led for virtually the full game, the margin as wide as 16 points.
At Staples Center in Los Angeles, the LA Clippers took a 1-0 lead over the defending champs 107-92.
Baynes had a 5-point, 5-rebound double and Mills scored nine on 3-of-4 triples to little avail for the Spurs.
Chris Paul led the Clippers with 32 points at 60 per cent, seven boards, six assists and two steals, Blake Griffin with 26 points, 12 boards and DeAndre Jordan with a game-high 14 boards.
Tim Duncan had an 11-point, 11-rebound double, Kawhi Leonard's 18 points leading the Spurs.