Report by Dr. Talal Osman
Lakers falter again, Pistons stave off early exit in NBA playoff drama
The Los Angeles Lakers failed once more to book their place in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs after losing 93–99 at home to the Houston Rockets, while the Detroit Pistons avoided a first‑round exit by beating the visiting Orlando Magic 116–109 on Wednesday in the NBA playoffs.
Lakers pushed to the brink by Rockets
In the West, the Lakers opened their best‑of‑seven series against Houston by winning the first three games, despite missing both Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
However, Los Angeles has now suffered two straight defeats, failing to clinch advancement.
Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets with 22 points, while Tari Eason added 18, playing key roles in cutting Houston’s deficit to 2–3 in the series.
Turkish forward Alperen Şengün chipped in 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, as the Rockets head back to their home court on Friday to try and force a deciding Game 7.
Los Angeles lost at home even though Reaves returned from injury, and even though Houston continued to be without star Kevin Durant, who has missed four of the five games due to injury.
No team in NBA playoff history has ever come back from 0–3 down to win a series, but Houston has now cut the gap in half.
Of the 159 teams that started a series 0–3 down, only four ever forced a Game 7.
LeBron James poured in 17 of his 25 points in the second half and added 7 assists, yet the Lakers still suffered their second‑consecutive loss after stealing Game 3 with an unexpected comeback in the final seconds of regulation.
No team led by James has ever blown a 2–0 series lead in the playoffs during his 23‑year career.
Reaves scored 22 points with 6 assists in his return after a nine‑game absence, but the Lakers committed 15 turnovers—their worst outing in the series—and suffered only their second home loss in 16 games since February.
Pistons fight off early Magic charge
In the East, the Detroit Pistons, who finished the regular season as the top seed, escaped an early playoff exit thanks to a 116–109 win over the Orlando Magic behind their star Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham erupted for 45 points, setting a franchise playoff record, including a clutch jumper with 32 seconds remaining.
The Magic still lead the series 3–2 and will have a second chance at home on Friday to secure a second‑round berth for the first time since 2007–2008.
Also in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers took a 3–2 lead over the Toronto Raptors with a 125–120 victory in Game 5, powered by German guard Dennis Schröder and Evan Mobley.
Schröder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, while Mobley hit two threes late in the period to finish with 23 points, forcing the series back to Toronto on Friday.
