Jokic's triple-double leads Nuggets to victory over Timberwolves, series 1-0; Harden and Mitchell shine as Cavaliers take 1-0 lead over Raptors.

On April 19, Beijing time, the NBA playoffs first round began. In the opening two games, the Cavaliers won 126-113 against the Raptors at home, taking a 1-0 series lead; the Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves 116-105 at home, also starting the series with a 1-0 advantage.

Cavaliers 126-113 Raptors

In the Eastern Conference's opening game, the Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 126-113 at home, making a strong start to the series and taking a 1-0 lead.

In this game, the Cavaliers held a clear advantage, leading by 7 points at halftime with a score of 61-54. In the second half, they continued to control the game steadily, ultimately securing a smooth opening victory.

Mitchell scored 32 points with 4 assists, Harden contributed 22 points and 10 assists, and Strus added 24 points. The sharp performance of these three key players helped the Cavaliers win their playoff opener. Barrett scored 24 points for the Raptors, Barnes had 21 points and 7 assists, but they still couldn't turn the game around.

Nuggets 116-105 Timberwolves

In the Western Conference's opening game, the Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves 116-105 at home, starting the series with a win and taking a 1-0 lead.

In the first quarter, the Timberwolves took early control, building a 10-point lead at 33-23. In the second quarter, the Nuggets gradually found their rhythm and turned the game around, tying the score at 62. In the second half, the Nuggets demonstrated their superior strength, eventually winning by 11 points.

Jokic delivered a triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, remaining the team's top contributor to victory. Murray scored a game-high 30 points, along with 5 rebounds and 7 assists, driving the win with their dual-core performance. Edwards contributed 22 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks, but still couldn't help the Timberwolves reverse the defeat.