Raptors drop expletive … and game one to Nets

Sparked by a stinging expletive, the NBA play-offs got off to an explosive start as the Brooklyn Nets landed the first blow in a suddenly bitter Eastern Conference first-round matchup with a 94-87 win over the Raptors in Toronto.

Out of the play-offs since 2008, Toronto's return to the postseason was both eventful and controversial, upping the ante in the best-of-seven series.

With A list celebrities, including rappers Drake, Jay-Z and Beyonce, occupying courtside seats, an embarrassing technical malfunction and a jaw-dropping expletive delivered by Raptors' general manager Masai Ujiri to thousands of frenzied supporters at a pregame pep rally, the first game of the NBA postseason offered a little bit of everything.

A supercharged atmosphere greeted players and fans after allegations that the experienced Nets had tanked their final few regular season games to get a preferred matchup with the youthful Raptors rather than face the Chicago Bulls.

Despite topping the Atlantic Division and setting a franchise record with 48 victories, the Raptors have had a harder time winning respect than games. Meanwhile the Nets dropped four of their last five contests, including a 29-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in their season finale, to cement a Toronto matchup.

The Nets denied any suggestion of subterfuge but Ujiri made his position crystal clear, shouting "f*** Brooklyn!" at a fan rally outside the Air Canada Centre before the start of game one.

"You know how I feel, I don't like them, I apologise," Ujiri, told a hastily arranged news conference at half-time, in a half- hearted attempt to defuse the controversy. "I apologise, it was the wrong choice of words."

There were no such apologies forthcoming from fans at a sold-out venue as they took great delight in tormenting Nets' players, particularly Kevin Garnett.