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The NBA playoffs open Sunday afternoon with a familiar rivalry and a pretty big Game 1 number. The Philadelphia 76ers head to TD Garden for a 1:00 PM tip on ABC after finishing 45-37 and grabbing the No. 7 seed, while the Boston Celtics enter as the No. 2 seed at 56-26 with home court and a market price that says this opener could get away from Philly if things break right. Philadelphia does have a little recent momentum. The Sixers beat Orlando 109-97 in the Play-In round behind Tyrese Maxey’s 31 points, and they were 22-19 on the road during the regular season, so this is not a team completely out of its depth away from home. Boston, though,

Game 1 of this Western Conference first-round series tips at Paycom Center on Sunday, April 19, at 3:30 PM ET on ABC. Phoenix had to survive the Play-In Tournament to get here, beating Golden State on Friday to lock up the No. 8 seed, while Oklahoma City finished 64-18, earned the No. 1 seed in the West, and enters the postseason trying to defend its title. That alone explains the price, but it also creates a real rest-versus-rhythm setup because the Suns are coming off a high-pressure week while the Thunder have had nearly a full week to reset. Phoenix does at least bring some recent confidence into the matchup. The Suns won two of the five regular-season meetings and

Game 1 of this Eastern Conference First Round series tips Sunday at 6:30 PM ET from Little Caesars Arena, with NBC carrying the broadcast. Orlando had to earn this spot the hard way after the Play-In, while Detroit comes in rested as the No. 1 seed after a 60-22 regular season, only the third 60-win campaign in franchise history. The Magic closed the regular season at 45-37 and then routed Charlotte 121-90 on Friday night to lock up the eighth seed, so they arrive with some momentum, but also with a much shorter turnaround. That setup matters because this looks like a series where physicality and half-court execution should decide a lot of possessions. Detroit has been the better team

The Portland Trail Blazers head to Frost Bank Center on Sunday, April 19, for Game 1 of this Western Conference first-round series, with tipoff set for 9:00 PM ET on NBC. Portland grabbed the No. 7 seed after a 42-40 regular season and a play-in win over Phoenix, while San Antonio rolled to 62-20 and the No. 2 seed. That gap matters. So does the spot. The Blazers are coming off an emotional push just to get here, while the Spurs have been sitting, prepping, and getting healthier for several days. Portland does come in with real confidence. Deni Avdija exploded for 41 points and 12 assists in the play-in win, and the Blazers have looked sharper late in the