NBA Playoffs: Pistons Stay Alive Behind Cade’s 45, Lakers Squander Closeout Opportunity, Cleveland Takes 3-2 Lead
Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the Pistons forcing a Game 6 behind Cade Cunningham’s 45-point explosion to keep their season alive, the Rockets continuing their comeback push by beating the Lakers in Game 5 to trim the series to 3-2 and the Cavaliers holding off the Raptors in a close-out attempt to move one win away from advancing to Round 2.
The Detroit Pistons kept their season alive with a 116-109 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 last night powered by a spectacular 45-point performance from Cade Cunningham. In a true star duel, Paolo Banchero matched him with 45 of his own, but Detroit’s supporting cast helped maintain control throughout. The Pistons never trailed, though Orlando kept things close into the fourth quarter before Cunningham’s late shot-making and Detroit’s composure sealed the outcome. The win came under immense pressure, as the Pistons, despite being the No. 1 seed with a 60-win season, had fallen into a shocking 3-1 series deficit against the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic. That hole was largely the result of inconsistent offense, turnovers, and Orlando’s physical defense disrupting Detroit’s rhythm, along with the absence of Franz Wagner for the Magic due to injury. By winning Game 5, the Detroit Pistons trimmed the series to 3-2 and shifted some momentum back in their favor, though Orlando still controls the series and will have another chance to close it out at home in Game 6. Who will win Game 6?
The Los Angeles Lakers missed a chance to close out their series, falling 99-93 to the Houston Rockets in Game 5 last night as Houston staved off elimination for the second straight game. LeBron James scored 25 points and Austin Reaves added 22 points in his return from an oblique injury that kept him out the last 9 games of the regular season. The loss is notable because Los Angeles had been up 3-1 and even 3-0 earlier in the series, putting them in prime position to advance, but Houston’s defensive pressure and improved three-point shooting have shifted the tone. Now the series sits at 3-2, with Game 6 heading back to Houston, meaning the Lakers still control things but have lost momentum and now face real pressure to avoid what would be a historic collapse if the Rockets continue their comeback push.
The Cleveland Cavaliers kept their season alive with a Game 5 win over the Toronto Raptors. By taking the win, Cleveland pushed Toronto to the brink of elimination while moving one step closer to advancing, while the Raptors now face a must-win Game 6.
