Basketball

DENVER (AP) — Unlike their crowd that drowned out the Los Angeles Lakers' pregame introductions, the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets were a little late to the playoff party Saturday night.

Philadelphia 76ers (47-35, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (50-32, second in the Eastern Conference) New York; Monday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Knicks -5; over/under is 209.

Orlando Magic (47-35, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34, fourth in the Eastern Conference) Cleveland; Monday, 7 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Cavaliers -6; over/under is 202.

Los Angeles Lakers (47-35, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (57-25, second in the Western Conference) Denver; Monday, 10 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Nuggets -7; over/under is 223.

DENVER (AP) — Michael Porter Jr. checked his thoughts at the bench as best he could and used the basketball court as his safe place.

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic arrived in character for a first-round playoff game Saturday night. That character was “Gru,” the protagonist from the “Despicable Me” movies.

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 32 points and 12 rebounds, and the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets powered past LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 114-103 in their Western Conference playoff opener Saturday night.

NEW YORK (AP) — When the Philadelphia 76ers arrived in the locker room at halftime after a miserable second quarter, there was good news waiting. Joel Embiid was planning to come back on the court.

NEW YORK (AP) — The familiar chants of “MVP! MVP!” for Jalen Brunson were replaced by a much different sound inside a raucous Madison Square Garden.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks are dealing with injuries to key players during the playoffs — again. And Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers are standing in their way.