NBA Playoffs 2016: Top Scores and Highlights from Round 1 Bracket

The Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder have all punched their tickets to the second round of the 2016 NBA playoffs. Notably absent from the list are the reigning champion and record-breaking Golden State Warriors.

Although the Warriors hold a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Houston Rockets, the outlook has become more murky for the new regular-season-wins record holders. That’s mostly because Stephen Curry is expected to miss at least two weeks with an MCL sprain.

At the least, it will test the defending champions’ resiliency as they look to remain afloat until Curry is clear for action. Let’s check out the path that lies ahead for them and everybody else still battling in Round 1 before taking a closer look at the teams that have already moved on.

Round 1 Bracket Scores

Highlights from Round 1 Winners

Cleveland Cavaliers

Share Tweet

The Cavs have flown below the radar in the championship conversation this season. That’s because while the Warriors and Spurs were running over opponents with the greatest of ease, the Eastern Conference’s top team was going through a drama-filled campaign.

Yet despite all of the headline stories out of Cleveland, including the firing of head coach David Blatt in January, the team kept finding ways to win. The Cavaliers secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference under new head coach Tyronn Lue, and they advanced past the Detroit Pistons in routine fashion.

LeBron James averaged 22.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.8 assists in the series sweep, and the four-time MVP feels good about the direction of the team, per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.

“We’re not …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com