Time passed slowly, and before long, April 16 arrived—the day the 2015–2016 NBA playoffs began.
There were four games on the first day of the playoffs: Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks, and Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks.
The first game tipped off at the United Center in Chicago, where the formidable Chicago Bulls hosted a fierce showdown against the Indiana Pacers.
Before the game, nearly every basketball expert agreed that the Chicago Bulls would advance to the next round without a doubt. The reason was simple: the Indiana Pacers' franchise cornerstone, Paul George, had suffered an injury that ended his season prematurely!
Without their team leader, the Indiana Pacers were bound to lose a whole level of effectiveness, both in their offensive firepower and in their defensive coverage.
Sure enough, once the game began, the Chicago Bulls quickly asserted their dominance under the leadership of Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler.
With their excellent teamwork and individual skill, they maintained firm control of the game and gave their opponents no room to breathe.
It took only three quarters for the Chicago Bulls to turn the game into garbage time.
After four quarters of play, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Indiana Pacers by a commanding score of 105–90, earning a 15-point blowout and the first win of the series. They took a 1–0 lead.
As the thrilling game came to a close, everyone's attention turned to Oracle Arena in San Francisco, California.
A much-anticipated showdown was about to begin there: the Golden State Warriors vs. the Houston Rockets.
From the opening tip, Stephen Curry was like a rocket bursting into flames, instantly unleashing his full offensive arsenal.
His performance in the first quarter was spectacular. He hit five of nine