NBA playoffs: Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons open to winning ways in semifinals

The Oklahoma City Thunder proved too strong for the Los Angeles Lakers to take a 1-0 lead in the NBA’s conference semifinals.

The defending champions are the top seed in the Western Conference and got off to a strong start in the best-of-seven series with a 108-90 win at home on Tuesday.

The Thunder produced a balanced offensive performance while their defense limited the Lakers to their lowest score in a playoff game since 2021.

LeBron James claimed a game-high 27 points for the Lakers while Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 24 points and 12 rebounds.

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell added 18 points for the hosts.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick said, “You’re playing world champs, you don’t have that much margin for error when it comes to mistakes.”

“(There was) too much tonight. We’ve got to clean it up.”

LA guard Luka Doncic is out with a hamstring injury and could miss both of Thursday’s games.

The Detroit Pistons drew first blood in their series with the Cleveland Cavaliers, holding off a late rally to claim a 111-101 home victory.

Cade Cunningham scored 23 points for Detroit, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and Tobias Harris added 20.

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 23 points and James Harden added 22 but had seven turnovers.