Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook begin to exorcise playoff demons

Steven J. Gaither

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Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook begin to exorcise playoff demons image

After failing to reach the NBA playoffs last season, Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder are on a mission to make up for lost time. 

The 2013-14 MVP and his teammates played Saturday's playoff opener against the Dallas Mavericks like they had something to prove, coming away with a 108-70 victory in a game that was never in question. 

MORE: NBA playoff predictions | Avery Bradley Game 2 status uncertain 

Durant put up 23 points, five rebounds and five assists. Russell Westbrook came to play as well, scoring a game-high 24 points and 11 assists. 

Durant said earlier this month he feels he's overlooked when it comes to the game's elite players, much like how the Thunder are being overlooked among top contenders in the NBA because they missed the playoffs last season. 

"I feel like I'm one of the top five players in the league, and I should be on the All-NBA First Team or I should be in the MVP conversation," Durant told ESPN prior to the playoffs. "That's not saying it in an arrogant way at all."

It seems odd a four-time scoring champ who averaged 28.2 points per game and shot 50.5 percent from the field this season would have to state his case as one of the league's top players. But Durant knows to keep pace with Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kawhi Leonard, he and his team need to pull off some playoff magic.

Based on Saturday's performance, Durant and the Thunder are on their way.  

The Golden State Warriors also got off to a good start in the playoffs with a rout of the Houston Rockets. However, Curry suffered an ankle injury late in the second quarter. He is questionable for Game 2.

Tweet of the Night

The Warriors let everyone know they still have plenty in the tank after winning 73 games during the regular-season. The Rockets are witnesses after the 104-78 beatdown they caught from the defending champs. 

Stud of the Night

Al Horford was big for the Atlanta Hawks in their playoff opener against the Boston Celtics. Horford scored 24 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked two shots as the Hawks blew a big lead, but held on for a 102-101 victory.

Dud of the Night

The Toronto Raptors backcourt did not show up Saturday in a 100-90 Game 1 loss to the Indiana Pacers. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowery struggled shooting, going a combined 8 for 32 from the field. The duo also turned the ball over nine times.

Looking Ahead:

Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers, Game 1: The Warriors and Thunder have set the bar high. Can the Cavaliers, the Eastern Conference's top seed, do the same against the Pistons? James will continue his quest to bring a title to Cleveland — a city that has not had a major sports championship since the Browns won the NFL title in 1955. 

Steven J. Gaither