Opening night of NBA playoffs has trio of upsets as No. 1 seed fall to devastating loss

Many say that the opening round or two of the NBA playoffs are a mere formality, with fans usually having a very clear idea to which teams will win and what match-up they will see next, but the opening night of this years playoffs showed that nothing is a given, and the highly seeded teams such as the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors will indeed have ro be at their very best if they're to progress.

Many are hoping that the Pacers will improve and finally beat the Miami Heat this year, but on last night's showing it's unlikely. The lowest seed, the Atlanta Hawks, were terrific throughout, winning at ease, and looking like a team more worthy of being labelled the no. 1 seed.

The Toronto Raptors suffered a similar fate, and although they are the 'better team' on paper, they had the difficult task of beating the in form Brooklyn Nets. The Nets were unstoppable and look increasingly likely to be a serious playoff threat this season. They have experience, youth and just about every other skill required to win NBA games.

The Golden State Warriors surprised the LA Clippers, ensuring an intriguing series indeed. Can the Warriors go all the way, and will last seasons experience help them?

The only team to not be upset was the Oklahoma City Thunder who beat the Memphis Grizzlies convincingly. Kevin Durant seems in no mood to take on the difficulties the other higher seeded teams are facing, but will this determination see his Thunder team march all the way through to the NBA finals?