Duke Blue Devils: NBA Playoffs Game 1 Player Results

Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; A general view of the shoes of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; A general view of the shoes of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kyrie Irving was the big gun among Duke Blue Devils alums in the NBA Playoffs, but even he could have played better.

The Duke Blue Devils have eight guys active for the NBA Playoffs this year. Game 1 took place over the weekend for all participants. Let’s look how the Duke players did in their first playoff games of the year.

Cleveland Cavs vs Indiana Pacers

Kyrie Irving: 23 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals

This looks like a good performance as is, but it ignores two facts that were crucial to Irving’s playoff performance last year. He went 1 for 9 from the three point line and only went to the foul line for one set of foul shots. In other words, if Irving has a normal night from three then the Cavs win comfortably over the Pacers. The missing kept it closer than it should have been.

Dahntay Jones: DNP

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Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers

Rodney Hood: 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist

Hood did not start Game 1 for the Jazz and had a rather limited role. He did manage to go 40% from the three point line, but went 2 of 7 in other offensive adventures.

J.J. Redick: 7 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound

Redick did start for the opposition Clippers yet he also did not see the ball much. He shot only a single three pointer. The Clippers try to go inside anyway, but they really put their focus there when Rudy Gobert went down.

Austin Rivers: injury – DNP

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Atlanta Hawks vs Washington Wizards

Mike Dunleavy: 4 points, 1 steal, 1 rebound.

Dunleavy played a mere twelve minutes of this very physical game between Washington and Atlanta. Kent Bazemore saw the bulk of the backup wing minutes behind rookie Taurean Prince.

Ryan Kelly: Inactive

Oklahoma City Westbrooks vs Houston Hardens

Kyle Singler: Inactive

Next: Blue Devils: NBA Playoff Preview

Game 2s start tonight with many of these guys looking to improve on the numbers that they put up in game one. Look to see Redick and Hood bounce back. Meanwhile we will have to wait and see where Irving’s game is.