NBA – Hawks, Mavs claim upsets in semi-final openers [video]

CHICAGO (NBA) - The Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks won their respective semi-final openers at the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.

The Hawks, fresh off their 4-2 first-round upset of Orlando, soared to a 103-95 victory over the Bulls.

This was not the result that Bulls fans expected to see when they entered the United Center.

Chicago went into the post-season as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, with their Team USA point guard Derrick Rose the favorite to win the league's MVP award.

It’s been a very good year for the Bulls, with team boss Tom Thibodeau named NBA Coach of the Year on Sunday.

The only thing that matters now, though, are wins and the Hawks, fuelled by Joe Johnson's 34 points and the interior play of Dominican Republic center Al Horford (13 rebounds) and Josh Smith (four blocks), grabbed the victory on Monday to lead the series 1-0.

Worse for Chicago was the sight of Rose hurting his ankle again in the closing seconds when Atlanta had already sealed the win.

Rose stepped on Jamal Crawford's foot and twisted his left ankle.

He hobbled off the court but then reassured Bulls fans that he would be fine for Game 2.

"I should be okay," Rose said.

"I'll probably get treatment right now, go home, get some more treatment and be ready to go for Wednesday."

Should the 22-year-old Rose be named MVP, he would be the youngest player ever to receive the award.

He would also be the first Bull to claim the gong since Michael Jordan.

The Hawks, meanwhile, continue to play with chips on their shoulders because few expected them to get past Orlando, never mind beat the Bulls.

"Nobody gave us a shot in this series," Smith said. "We're here now up 1-0."

Basketball fans in Germany will be hoping that Dirk Nowitzki plays for their national team this summer in Lithuania at the EuroBasket in Lithuania.

Right now, they'll have to make do with the Dallas Mavericks ace putting on dazzling performances in NBA stadiums, including the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The seven-footer had 28 points, 14 rebounds and a couple of steals as Dallas beat the Lakers 96-94.

In his points haul were two go-ahead free-throws with 19.5 seconds remaining after he was fouled by Spain's Pau Gasol.

What makes the defeat even more frustrating for LA was the fact they couldn't protect a 16-point lead in the second half.

"We felt like we gave the game away," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

"I'm not so sure Dallas didn't outplay us, but the players felt like we gave it away.

"The game was won in the third quarter when we got the lead and stopped playing defense and stopped playing offense.

"It took a lot of energy out of us and gave a lot of energy to them."

Nowitzki knows a 1-0 advantage against the two-time defending NBA champions Lakers means nothing.

"It's definitely a great win for us, but if you look at their last series, they lost Game 1 and came right back and won the next two and had the series back in control," Nowitzki said.

"We'd love to go for it in Game 2."

And that will be on Wednesday in Los Angeles.

The Miami Heat carry a 1-0 lead into their semi-final against Boston on Tuesday night with the contest again being played in south Florida.

Memphis are also on top 1-0 of their series as they play Game 2 at Oklahoma City.

Check out Monday night's top 5 plays

FIBA