Richard Jefferson, Nets
96-91 win at Raptors
28 pts, 11-21 FG, 2-4 3-pt FG

Luol Deng, Bulls
96-91 win vs. Heat
33 pts, 14-22 FG, 5-5 FT

T.J. Ford, Raptors
96-91 loss vs. Nets
21 pts, 8-13 FG, 5-6 FT

Jason Kidd was a regular in this area during the regular season as he racked up 12 of his 87 career triple-doubles, and he picked up right where he left off in the first game of the playoffs. The 13-year point guard posted eight points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists and two steals to help the Nets pull out a 96-91 upset win at Toronto in Game 1. Kidd's all-around effort helped offset a subpar game from Vince Carter, who was limited by foul trouble and had to finish strong to net 16.

Mehmet Okur, Jazz
84-75 loss at Rockets
2-14 FG, 0-2 FT 6 pts

Carlos Boozer, Jazz
84-75 loss at Rockets
4-17 FG, 3-6 FT, 6 pts

Vince Carter, Nets
96-91 win at Raptors
5-19 FG, 1-3 3-pt FG, 5-8 FT 16 pts

Tracy McGrady has never advanced out of the first round of the playoffs and readily acknowledges it. He also readily admits that Houston's success this postseason depends on his play. His offensive numbers have been impressive in the playoffs - a 29.8 point per game average in 25 games - but his teams have lost all five of the matchups. After scoring just one point on 0-of-6 shooting from the floor in Saturday's first half vs. Utah, he and the Rockets appeared to be destined for another early exit. But if his second half is any indicator, this may finally be the year he ends his first-round futility. McGrady had a scorching third quarter, hitting 7-of-8 shots from the floor en route to 16 points in the period. Houston outscored Utah by 15 in the quarter, transforming a nine-point halftime deficit into a six-point edge entering the fourth. The Rockets held on for an 84-75 home win. T-Mac received plenty of support as Yao Ming posted 28 points and 13 rebounds, while Rafer Alston added nine points, eight assists and 11 rebounds.

The Chris Webber experiment was a success for the Pistons in the regular season. If Saturday is an example of what to expect in the playoffs, so far so good. Detroit went 30-12 with Webber in the starting lineup this season after signing him as a free agent when Philadelphia waived him. But the playoffs are a different story than the regular season and Ben Wallace had started 93 straight playoff games in the middle for the Pistons over the past five seasons. While Webber does not have the same presence as Wallace, the four-time Defensive Player of the Year now playing for the Bulls, his dynamic offensive package has been a perfect fit in Detroit. He turned in a solid effort with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor in a 100-91 win over the Magic, and helped cancel out Dwight Howard. Orlando's rising star netted 13 points and 19 rebounds in his playoff debut. Wallace, meanwhile, had a successful start to his postseason run with the Bulls. Going up against Shaquille O'Neal, Big Ben pulled in 14 rebounds in Chicago's win.

Few rookies will have a significant impact on the playoffs, but the series with the most rookies seeing quality minutes is easily the one between the Nets and Raptors. Three first-year players saw double-figure minutes in the opener on Saturday. Top overall pick Andrea Bargnani, in just his second game back since an appendectomy, scored three points in 16 minutes for Toronto. Marcus Williams came off New Jersey's bench to tally four points, two rebounds and two assists, including a key bucket late in the third quarter of a 96-91 road win. Josh Boone made his only shot attempt, grabbed two boards and blocked a shot.

Andres Nocioni started 31 games for the Bulls this season, but lost his place to former super-sub Ben Gordon after missing 28 of 29 games with plantar fasciitis. Nocioni played sparingly over the final five games of the regular season, but did his best Gordon impersonation on Saturday. The 6-foot-7 forward played 30 minutes off the bench, pouring in 17 points to help Chicago to a 96-91 win in the first game of their opening-round series with the defending champion Heat. Nocioni added four rebounds and two blocked shots. He scored eight of his 17 points in the final period, helping Chicago hold off a late surge from Miami.

Chris McCray's rookie season got off to a wonderful start. The undrafted guard out of Maryland made the Bucks out of training camp and spent over two months in the NBA. His season took a disappointing turn on Jan. 4 when Milwaukee waived him, but he is doing his best to finish the season strong and improve his odds of returning to the NBA next season. McCray scored 13 of his 17 points in Saturday's fourth quarter, sparking the Dakota Wizards to a come-from-behind 115-113 win over the Skyforce in the East Division title game. The Wizards will host the Colorado 14ers in next Sunday's championship game.