LOS ANGELES – Kyrie Irving scored 20 points as the Boston Celtics shrugged off the injury absence of Marcus Smart to defeat the Indiana Pacers, 84-74, in their opening playoff game on Sunday (Monday Manila time). Irving was among five players to make double figures as Boston drew first blood in the best-of-seven series opener at the TD Garden. However the fourth-seeded Celtics had too much firepower for the fifth-ranked Pacers on their way to a deserved victory. Irving finished with 20 points, five rebounds and seven assists, while Marcus Morris delivered 20 from the bench with seven rebounds. Celtics coach Brad Stevens singled out Morris for praise following his 20-point display.

Source: Philippine Star April 14, 2019 21:22 UTC