2026 NBA Season

[Dave1]

As of writing this post, the Pistons only have a 10 point lead, and anything can happen in the last quarter. A 10 point deficit isn’t that hard to overcome. I really didn’t expect the Pistons to be in this kind of situation. The last time a first seed lost in the playoffs was in 2012. If the Pistons end up losing, that would be a huge letdown, imagine going from high expectations to a first round exit.

It's not yet over, still a minute to go but Pistons has the lead.

How about the news of Reaves being cleared to play tonight? I think the Lakers wanted to close the series and then have him played so that he can shake that rust because they are going to face the Thunder next.

So at least Reaves could be preparing for that bigger series against the Thunder. But first they will have to dispose the Rockets in this game and not extend it.

[EFS]

Pistons finally showed the reaction I was expecting from them. That was an incredible game. Both Banchero and Cunningham dropped 45 and broke records. Cunningham broke the Pistons franchise play-off record. Banchero had the 3rd highest scoring game in Magic franchise history. But he also missed 7 free throws, that was the difference of the game.

Now the Pistons have the momentum. If they win the game in Orlando, Game 7 would be legendary at home. Honestly they shouldn't get the series to this point. Magic showed good performance but mostly it was because Pistons playing below their average. They still have a chance to make up to it.

[yahoo62278]

Pistons finally showed the reaction I was expecting from them. That was an incredible game. Both Banchero and Cunningham dropped 45 and broke records. Cunningham broke the Pistons franchise play-off record. Banchero had the 3rd highest scoring game in Magic franchise history. But he also missed 7 free throws, that was the difference of the game.

Now the Pistons have the momentum. If they win the game in Orlando, Game 7 would be legendary at home. Honestly they shouldn't get the series to this point. Magic showed good performance but mostly it was because Pistons playing below their average. They still have a chance to make up to it.

Detroit killed it in the regular season and everyone expected them to crush the Magic in the Playoffs, but the Magic have shown lots of heart. I think Detroit can take it to 7, but that's gonna depend on which Magic team shows up. I don't see Banchero scoring 40+ b2b so Bane and Black are going to have to step up. Definitely not the series everyone was expecting IMO.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

Pistons finally showed the reaction I was expecting from them. That was an incredible game. Both Banchero and Cunningham dropped 45 and broke records. Cunningham broke the Pistons franchise play-off record. Banchero had the 3rd highest scoring game in Magic franchise history. But he also missed 7 free throws, that was the difference of the game.

Now the Pistons have the momentum. If they win the game in Orlando, Game 7 would be legendary at home. Honestly they shouldn't get the series to this point. Magic showed good performance but mostly it was because Pistons playing below their average. They still have a chance to make up to it.

45 points sounds nice but when you see he took 31 shots and 12 FTs (despit of course missing 7) it's not THAT impressive in my opinion.
Too bad the Magic were missing Franz. I think having him in the lineup might have tipped the win in their direction, but of course you never know. Now they go back to Orlando to hopefully (yeah I like the Magic, because of the German block   ) close out the series. Having Franz back would definitely help but since the game is in 2 days I am pretty hopeful!

Ah, and the KD-less Rockets just won again and are now 2:3 going back to Houston, they are still alive!

[Oasisman]

The Lakers just lost game 5. Looks like the Rockets figured it out and they may have a chance to become the first team to come back from 0-3 deficit.
I'm not sure if the Lakers become complacent, just buying time to allow a Luka comeback in the 2nd round, or the Rockets gaining momentum, and is really beating the Lakers on both ends of the floor.
Game 4 and game 5's story for the Lakers are the turnovers and free inefficient free throws. They were able to close the gap to 1 possession game down the stretch, but still not able to win it.
Also, Kennard had 1 point in 28 mins.
Looks like a legitimate comeback for the Rockets, especially if Durant will play in the remainder of the series.

[OgNasty]

The Lakers just shot terribly from beyond the arch. LeBron was 0-6, Kennard was 0-2, and Reeves was 2-8. Let them shoot those 16 shots over and they win by a wide margin. They’ll have to get it figured out. This could be a good thing as it buys Luka a little more recovery time, but they don’t want to see a game 7.

[danherbias07]

Detroit killed it in the regular season and everyone expected them to crush the Magic in the Playoffs, but the Magic have shown lots of heart. I think Detroit can take it to 7, but that's gonna depend on which Magic team shows up. I don't see Banchero scoring 40+ b2b so Bane and Black are going to have to step up. Definitely not the series everyone was expecting IMO.

The big question now is what they are going to do with Cade Cunningham. That dude can score anywhere, and there's a chance this Detroit team can be added to the records of coming back from 3-1 if they can't be able to stop him. Cade showed today that he can close the game while still being calm. Banchero, on the other hand, may have scored 40+ points, but it was not enough to go to the next round. The Pistons will probably win game 6, and then game 7 will be great.

The Houston Rockets won. I really thought the Lakers would try to seal it now because Austin Reaves returned. Many players of the Rockets showed up today, and Sheppard was the one who displayed tenacity. That really scared me there when the Lakers were getting close. Sheppard making that 4-point run himself was the key to winning it.
If KD comes back, it will be trouble for the Lakers.

[Cointxz]

The Lakers just shot terribly from beyond the arch. LeBron was 0-6, Kennard was 0-2, and Reeves was 2-8. Let them shoot those 16 shots over and they win by a wide margin. They’ll have to get it figured out. This could be a good thing as it buys Luka a little more recovery time, but they don’t want to see a game 7.

Guess what, Rockets finally unlocking how to defend the Lakers and this is a bad news for them if there will be a game 7.

Rockets already changed their strategy and stop playing carelessly rather they play in control way now without focusing their offense with Sengun and applying defense as much as possible to Lakers.

Most of the series are already 3-2 and it might be a reverse sweep. 

[Mr. Magkaisa]

The Lakers just shot terribly from beyond the arch. LeBron was 0-6, Kennard was 0-2, and Reeves was 2-8. Let them shoot those 16 shots over and they win by a wide margin. They’ll have to get it figured out. This could be a good thing as it buys Luka a little more recovery time, but they don’t want to see a game 7.

Guess what, Rockets finally unlocking how to defend the Lakers and this is a bad news for them if there will be a game 7.

Rockets already changed their strategy and stop playing carelessly rather they play in control way now without focusing their offense with Sengun and applying defense as much as possible to Lakers.

Most of the series are already 3-2 and it might be a reverse sweep. 

I dont see a reverse sweep on this, Game 5 was a close game, Lakers even manage to lead the game most of the time. Therefore, the Houston did not get the formula on this.
Reeves came out from Injury and I think not a good addition for now, but we dont know what will happen in game 6. THis is a series and what important is the Lakers is leading  and need to win 1 more.
This will end with Lakers advancing to second round for sure. The longer the better as the next round dwill be versus The OKC...

[mandown]

Two games ago, I thought the Los Angeles Lakers would sweep Houston, but Houston won their last two games to take a 3-2 lead in the series, though they're still behind. The Lakers are still ahead and have home-court advantage, but I'm curious if Houston can come back from 3-0 down.

I want Houston to win because of Alperen, but on the other hand, there's also King LeBron, whom I admire. I'll be happy whichever team wins.

[coinrifft]

Two games ago, I thought the Los Angeles Lakers would sweep Houston, but Houston won their last two games to take a 3-2 lead in the series, though they're still behind. The Lakers are still ahead and have home-court advantage, but I'm curious if Houston can come back from 3-0 down.

I want Houston to win because of Alperen, but on the other hand, there's also King LeBron, whom I admire. I'll be happy whichever team wins.

Same here, I thought with Reaves around, the Lakers are going to finished the series and take at least a rest. Now, they are going to go back to the Houston homecourt so they just make it very hard for them.

I don't know but it could have been the Reaves coming back might have disrupted their offense. But they shot terrible in the field, and their fans was sort of disappointed. But they still have a chance to bet the Rockets and not go to a game 7.

[yenerbatmaz]

Houston Rockets beat the Lakers 99-93 on the road to take a 3-2 lead in the series. No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit. If I remember one, let's share it.

LeBron is getting tired as the series progresses. He played great in the first three games. Kennard can't contribute to the score without free throws.
If Doncic had been there, Los Angeles would have already advanced to the next round. Reaves contributed well to the score tonight, but couldn't prevent the loss.

We'll see if Houston can be the first team to come back from a 3-0 deficit.

[dwyane36]

Reaves contributed well to the score tonight, but couldn't prevent the loss.

I wouldn't say Reaves played well in this game. Yes, he scored 22 points, but his shooting percentage was only 25% (4 out of 16 shots). But if he had made even half of his shots, that would have been enough for the Lakers to win this game. Apparently, after his injury, he needs some time to get back into his old rhythm.

[sana54210]

Pistons definitely looks like they are not playing the way they did on the regular season. I would normally say that if they faced a team that had a lot of experience with deep playoff runs, then it would make sense because Pistons are new to being good, they were very bad only a year or two ago, so a team that has experience would do better of course and would be understandable.

But they are facing Magic, a team who is also new to being around here, so it is not making any sense to me at all that they are losing this badly.

[arwin100]

Reaves contributed well to the score tonight, but couldn't prevent the loss.

I wouldn't say Reaves played well in this game. Yes, he scored 22 points, but his shooting percentage was only 25% (4 out of 16 shots). But if he had made even half of his shots, that would have been enough for the Lakers to win this game. Apparently, after his injury, he needs some time to get back into his old rhythm.

Maybe he's still not 100% and this is his first game on playoffs after he get injured. So expect some errors like that and maybe that will improve on game 6.

If Lakers just perform good on second quarter maybe the result will be different. But they let Rockets to dominate that quarter that's why they totally lose the momentum after that. Game 6 is really huge for them and if Rocket's would steal another win for them then this is dangerous situation and maybe they get choked big time.

[Fredomago]

The #1 team in the East the Detroit Pistons face elimination tonight as -10.5 favs hosting the Orlando Magic.
I don't think many people saw the #8 team dominating them like that.
Will be interesting to see if they can extend the series or if they take an early vacation.

In a real sense, I think Orlando Magic even during the course of the season are better than what anyone would consider a typical #8 seed in an eastern conference that you can’t convincingly say the no 1 and 2 seeds are the best team in the conference, injuries have played a huge part in why they weren’t a top 5 seed this season and they also lost momentum at some point down the stretch, I expected them to give any team a run for their money in the conference, however to be honest, I didn’t expect the Pistons to be this bad.

Both Bancehro and Cunningham putting everything to help their respective team to win, it's going to be on the support side and how key and role players will run the system, and if how coaches will adjust to counter both offense and defense that their opponent's giving to them, it's a game of will though the pressure will be more on the side of the top seeded team knowing that there are fans out there who are relying and believing that they'll be able to push forward, let see if who's going to take the win.

[tech30338]

Reaves contributed well to the score tonight, but couldn't prevent the loss.

I wouldn't say Reaves played well in this game. Yes, he scored 22 points, but his shooting percentage was only 25% (4 out of 16 shots). But if he had made even half of his shots, that would have been enough for the Lakers to win this game. Apparently, after his injury, he needs some time to get back into his old rhythm.

Maybe he's still not 100% and this is his first game on playoffs after he get injured. So expect some errors like that and maybe that will improve on game 6.

If Lakers just perform good on second quarter maybe the result will be different. But they let Rockets to dominate that quarter that's why they totally lose the momentum after that. Game 6 is really huge for them and if Rocket's would steal another win for them then this is dangerous situation and maybe they get choked big time.

They look tired really, they were trailing most of the game and when they are trailing they get tired, because they are chasing the lead, remember this players are not like rockets that are young, sengun is right they recover faster than the lakers, that is why they look fresh while the lakers are gasping for air.
The addition of Reeves might have mess the rotation, since he has been away, LeBron still loaded in minutes, he did not make any threes in this game, showing he is also tired, if the lakers can't take down the rockets in their home court lakers might lose.

[Beparanf]

They look tired really, they were trailing most of the game and when they are trailing they get tired, because they are chasing the lead, remember this players are not like rockets that are young, sengun is right they recover faster than the lakers, that is why they look fresh while the lakers are gasping for air.
The addition of Reeves might have mess the rotation, since he has been away, LeBron still loaded in minutes, he did not make any threes in this game, showing he is also tired, if the lakers can't take down the rockets in their home court lakers might lose.

Lakers offense is awful on today’s match. They missed a lot and commit many turnovers that resulted for Rockets in total control of the game even though they are not that explosive when it comes to scoring.

Rockets players improves a lot on restricting the Lakers to attack their paint unlike before that Lakers dominate them on that particular area.

Lakers is already losing to Rockets prior to AR return. I think this just a continuation of their struggle on handling improved Rockets.

[avp2306]

They look tired really, they were trailing most of the game and when they are trailing they get tired, because they are chasing the lead, remember this players are not like rockets that are young, sengun is right they recover faster than the lakers, that is why they look fresh while the lakers are gasping for air.
The addition of Reeves might have mess the rotation, since he has been away, LeBron still loaded in minutes, he did not make any threes in this game, showing he is also tired, if the lakers can't take down the rockets in their home court lakers might lose.

Lakers offense is awful on today’s match. They missed a lot and commit many turnovers that resulted for Rockets in total control of the game even though they are not that explosive when it comes to scoring.

Rockets players improves a lot on restricting the Lakers to attack their paint unlike before that Lakers dominate them on that particular area.

Lakers is already losing to Rockets prior to AR return. I think this just a continuation of their struggle on handling improved Rockets.

Looks like Rockets already figure out on how to exhaust the offensive threat of Lakers and as a result they manage to win against them for 2 consecutive games. Rockets take advantage on the situation and if they keep losing Rockets might get a historical comeback against Lakers. Also if Lakers in on game 6 that expose them a lot and it really seems that we already got an idea that Lakers will became an easy opponent for OKC.

AR presence did not help Lakers to win today, but let see on game 6 if there's some better situation will happen on side of Lakers.

[OgNasty]

AR presence did not help Lakers to win today, but let see on game 6 if there's some better situation will happen on side of Lakers.

They’re saying Durant will be out on Friday for game 6 as well. AR should hopefully be back in the swing of things. The Lakers shot pretty terribly yesterday. I don’t think that continues for another game. They need to win and move on. Luka got all the extra rest he’s going to get.