Cade Cunningham delivered a playoff-record 45 points for the Detroit Pistons in a 116-109 victory over the Orlando Magic. The Pistons’ win keeps their playoff hopes alive, reducing the series deficit to 3-2.
Pistons Fight Back Against Magic
The Pistons avoided a first-round exit at the hands of eighth-seed Orlando. Cunningham played nearly 44 minutes in the must-win game, having recently returned from a collapsed lung.
“We dug ourselves a big hole. It’s going to be a tough one to climb out of, but we handled business tonight,” Cunningham said. He added, “We’re at our best when our backs are against the wall.”
Detroit, who dominated the Eastern Conference during the regular season, had struggled at the start of the postseason. The Pistons started fast in front of their home crowd, needing to win three in a row to stay in contention.
Detroit built a 12-point lead after owning the glass with 17 rebounds in the first quarter. Cunningham exploded for 20 points in the second quarter alone.
The gap narrowed to six points by half-time. Orlando missed two go-ahead 3-pointer attempts soon after the break, and the Pistons capitalised, pulling further ahead.
Orlando mounted a late charge, including a pair of Paolo Banchero 3-pointers, narrowing the lead to three points. Cunningham sealed the win with a triple with barely 30 seconds remaining. Banchero top-scored for Orlando with 45 points.
Magic Look to Close Out Series
The Magic will have another opportunity to clinch the series in Orlando. A possible decider would take place in Detroit.
Lakers’ Lead Slipping Against Rockets
The Los Angeles Lakers failed to close out their series against the Houston Rockets. Jabari Smith Jr.’s 22 points helped the Houston Rockets grind out a 99-93 win to bring their series with the Los Angeles Lakers back to 3-2.
The Lakers had led 3-0, but now face a tricky trip to Texas for game six. The return of Austin Reaves had boosted the Lakers, who got off to a bright first quarter.
The Rockets built a 13-point advantage midway through the final quarter. A LeBron James driving layup reduced the deficit to single digits with five minutes remaining.
Another loss in Houston would put the Lakers at risk of becoming the first team in history to blow a 3-0 lead in a playoff series. James top-scored with 25 points.
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a comeback victory to take a 3-2 lead over the Toronto Raptors in their series.