Gasol, Bynum lead Lakers over Thunder

Pau Gasol scored 19 points and Andrew Bynum 13 as the host Los Angeles Lakers used their twin 7-footers to dominate inside against the Oklahoma City Thunder in an 87-79 victory Sunday in the opener of their playoff series. Kobe Bryant had 21 points, shooting 6-for-19. Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 24 points and Russell Westbrook added 23. Bynum returned from a 13-game absence because of a strained right Achilles tendon, teaming with Gasol to pull down 25 rebounds.

Magic 98, Bobcats 89Jameer Nelson scored 24 of his 32 points in the first half for host Orlando, which nearly blew a 22-point lead in Game 1 of a first-round playoff series. Rashard Lewis added 19 points and Dwight Howard had nine blocks. Gerald Wallace had 25 points and Stephen Jackson played through a hyperextended left knee to finish with 18 for the Bobcats.

Mavericks 100, Spurs 94Dirk Nowitzki opened the playoffs in high gear, making 12 of 14 shots and scoring 36 points to lead host Dallas. Caron Butler scored 22 points and Brendan Haywood 10 in their playoff debuts. Tim Duncan had 27 points and eight rebounds, Manu Ginobili scored 26 and Tony Parker had 18 points for San Antonio.

Garnett suspended, Q fined

Kevin Garnett doesn't regret his role in a fracas by his opponent's bench. Neither does Quentin Richardson, the player he elbowed in the head. Garnett paid a bigger price when the NBA suspended him for Tuesday night's second game of Boston's playoff series with Miami. The Heat's Richardson was fined $25,000. The pushing and woofing took place with 40 seconds left in the Celtics' 85-76 Game 1 win Saturday night.

Jazz lose Okur to torn Achilles

An MRI exam on Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur's left leg confirmed fears of a torn Achilles tendon, eliminating him from the remainder of the NBA playoffs. Okur flew back to Salt Lake City to mull his surgery options.- AP