NBA – Spain’s Gasol cracks open Nuggets with 36 points, 16 boards (+ video)

LOS ANGELES (NBA) - Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers reminded everyone why he was the MVP of the 2006 FIBA World Championship with Spain by tearing apart the Denver Nuggets in the opening game of their first-round play-off series.

The seven-footer scored 36 points, corralled 16 rebounds and handed out eight assists as the Lakers prevailed 128-114.

One of the biggest names who will be on show this summer at the Beijing Games, Gasol is also one of the most humble of superstars and that was evident after his first-ever play-off victory.

“Every guy on our team is doing an amazing job out there, and I’m just one of them,” said Gasol, who joined the Lakers in a mid-season trade from Memphis in a deal which saw the draft rights to his younger brother Marc go to the Grizzlies.

The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off the biggest surprise in the play-offs so far with a 90-86 triumph over the second-seeded Detroit Pistons.

Toronto, who beat the Sixers to sixth place in the Eastern Conference, were brushed aside by Orlando in their opener 114-100.

The Boston Celtics made it look easy in their clash against Atlanta.

The Celtics, who went into the post-season as the regular season winners in the Eastern Conference, cruised to a 114-81 win.

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