Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons force Game 7 against Cavaliers and Magic
The Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA, defeating the Rockets 98-78 in Houston in Game 6 of the first round, closing out the series 4-2 after leading 3-0.
The Los Angeles team, led by an inspired LeBron James, who scored 28 points, limited the Rockets to their worst score of the season, winning 98-78.
With this victory, the Lakers, fourth seeds, advance to face the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder, the team with the best record in the regular season and the only one that has not yet lost a game in these playoffs (4-0 against the Phoenix Suns).
The key to the Lakers’ victory last night was a devastating 27-3 run in the first half, which allowed the Lakers to reach halftime with an 18-point lead (49-31). The team even led by 22 points in the third quarter, and despite a brief comeback from the Rockets, another 10-3 run at the start of the final quarter, with five points from Rui Hachimura, sealed the game.
On the Rockets’ side, again without Kevin Durant (Luka Doncic was out for the Lakers for the entire series) and eliminated in the first round for the second consecutive year, Amen Thompson (18 points) and Alperen Sengun (17 points) were the top scorers.
In the Eastern Conference, two games last night postponed the decisions of two series, which will go to Game 7 — so far only the New York Knicks have secured a place in the semifinals.
The biggest highlight was the Orlando Magic’s collapse at home against the Detroit Pistons. With the chance to clinch the series against the best team in the regular season, the Florida team had the game in their hands, and at the start of the second half they built a 24-point lead (62-38). In the remaining 23 minutes of the game, Orlando managed only 17 points…
The Pistons’ epic comeback was based on a 42-10 run and a great performance from Paul Reed, coming off the bench. Orlando, during a sequence in that second half, missed 23 consecutive shots, a playoff record since the NBA began keeping play-by-play records (1997/1998). Cade Cunningham (32 points and 10 rebounds) led the Pistons, who after being on the brink of elimination (1-3) now have the opportunity to close out the series at home.
