NewsOK.com · Apr 18, 2016
Game 1 blowout usually is a series predictor
The Thunder's Andre Roberson guards J.J. Barea in OKC's Game 1 victory. (Photo by Bryan Terry)In the 2011 NBA playoffs, only one game was decided by at least 30 points. In the 2012 playoffs, only three games were decided by at least 30 points. In the 2013 NBA playoffs, only three games decided by at least 30 points. 2014, two games decided by at least 30 points.
But in 2015, five playoff games were decided by at least 30 points.
And over the weekend, when the 2016 playoffs started with eight games, four were decided by at least 30 points: Thunder 108-70 over the Mavericks, Warriors 104-78 over the Rockets, Heat 123-91 over the Hornets and Spurs 106-74 over the Grizzlies.