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The Pistons make a stunning comeback against the Magic, the Lakers finally pull away from Houston, the Raptors set up a decision against the Cavs.
Published on May 2, 2026
The top-seeded Detroit Pistons recovered from the brink of disaster with a stunning comeback against Orlando, while the Los Angeles Lakers finally met Houston in the playoffs. the third time to ask in the NBA playoffs.
The Pistons’ win on Friday took their series with the Magic to Game 7, while the Toronto Raptors set up a rematch against Cleveland thanks to a long-overdue win.
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Up 3-2 in the series against Detroit and looking for a close victory, the Magic led by as many as 24 points before their shooting suddenly collapsed and the Pistons took full advantage.
A nervous Orlando missed 23 consecutive field goals — the longest streak in playoff history — and scored just one point in more than 10 minutes of basketball, as the Pistons sealed a 93-79 victory.
“Don’t say die, simple as that. I mean, Detroit grit, that’s what we’ve talked about all year,” said Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, who led the team in scoring with 32 points and 10 rebounds.
After being down 3-1 in the series, the Pistons looked set to become just the seventh seed in NBA history to lose in the first round of their first series.
But now they have a chance to win the series in Detroit on Sunday.
After the first quarter, Orlando played a game, the pressure to seal their first playoff victory since 2010 seemed to begin.
Boos fell on the court as a 71-54 Magic advantage turned into an 80-72 Detroit lead.
The Pistons, who dominated the regular season, are now favorites to earn their first playoff win since 2008.
“Thank God we’re going to be back in the crib. It’s going to sound in Detroit, and we have to finish our business,” said Cunningham, who scored 19 in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors take the Cavs to Game 7
If Detroit reaches the semifinals of the Eastern Conference, it will play either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Raptors, whose series also stands at 3-3 after a long-term victory in Toronto.
Playing at home, the Raptors led all night only for the Cavaliers to come back in the fourth quarter to set up a strong finish.
Leading by two points with just under a minute left, Toronto gave Cleveland a lifeline and ran out the clock.
Evan Mobley forced a defensive layup by the Raptors to tie the game at 104-104, and Toronto’s Jamal Shead missed the final shot at the end of regulation.
In overtime, Cleveland stormed ahead and took a one-point lead into the final seconds.
But RJ Barrett’s three-pointer bounced off the heel of the rim, soared through the air and into the net to seal the win for Toronto.
“Glory to God, man. I didn’t do anything in the fourth quarter, overtime, I was playing bad … thank God, I was able to shoot,” Barrett said.
Game 7 will be played in Cleveland on Sunday.
‘Close-out situation’
The Lakers, after leading their series against Houston 3-0, fumbled twice to allow the Rockets to get back to 3-2.
But LeBron James’ men killed off the streak with a comfortable 98-78 victory to set up a Western Conference semifinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champions.
James finished with 28 points, including eight assists and seven rebounds, continuing his good postseason form at the age of 41.
The win saved the Lakers from embarrassment. A loss would have left them one loss away from becoming the first team in NBA history to blow a 3-0 lead in the playoffs.
“Many of our guys, to be honest, have never been in these places, never been around, especially on the road, so it was important for me to come out and raise the voice,” said James.
