Ohio, USA: The Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons kept their playoff hopes alive with crucial Game 5 victories in their respective first-round series.
Rockets 99, Lakers 93
Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as Houston edged the Los Angeles Lakers on the road.
Alperen Sengun contributed 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Amen Thompson chipped in 15 points. The Rockets now trail 3-2 after clawing back from a 3-0 deficit.
The Lakers were led by LeBron James with 25 points and Austin Reaves with 22 off the bench, while Deandre Ayton posted 18 points and 17 rebounds.
Pistons 116, Magic 109
Cade Cunningham delivered a standout performance with a career playoff-high 45 points to lift Detroit past the Orlando Magic.
Tobias Harris added 23 points and eight assists, while Ausar Thompson impressed with an all-around effort.
For Orlando, Paolo Banchero matched Cunningham with 45 points, alongside nine rebounds and seven assists, while Anthony Black scored 19.
Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120
The Cleveland Cavaliers took a 3-2 series lead over the Toronto Raptors behind a strong finish led by Dennis Schroder, who scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter.
James Harden added 23 points, while Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell also made key contributions.
For Toronto, RJ Barrett led with 25 points, while Ja’Kobe Walter added 20. Brandon Ingram exited early due to a heel injury.
Houston and Detroit now head into Game 6 with renewed belief, while Cleveland move one win away from advancing.
