Preview capsules for the first round of the NBA playoffs, which start Saturday.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 2 NEW YORK KNICKS (50-32) vs. No. 7 PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (47-35)
Season series: Knicks, 3-1.
Story line: The Knicks finished with their best record and highest seed since winning 54 games in 2012-13. They didn’t get much of a reward for that, with the opponent being a 76ers team that surged after Joel Embiid returned from knee surgery, winning their final eight games of the regular season and then edging Miami in the play-in tournament to earn the No. 7 seed.
Key matchup: Jalen Brunson vs. Tyrese Maxey. Both guards were first-time All-Stars and capable of putting up big scoring numbers. Maxey had three 50-point games during the regular season. Brunson had 11 40-point performances, tying Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing for second-most by a Knicks player in a single season, and was fourth in the league with 28.7 per game.
Judge drops some charges against ex
CPPCC member advocates for legislation on AI law
Explore the delights of Chengdu People's Park with Rongbao
U.S. quietly signs off more bombs, fighter jets for Israel: U.S. media
New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba may be the most interesting man in hockey, on and off the ice
Mexico evacuates 34 citizens from violence
China's top court vows better judicial protection of consumer rights
China to enhance employment services for veterans
Google is combining its Android software and Pixel hardware divisions to more broadly integrate AI
Hamas says UNSC resolution demanding Gaza truce shows Israel's isolation