Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, tries to drive vs Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. through the second half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets are brimming with confidence after avoiding elimination twice with consecutive wins to force Game 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night within the NBA first round of the playoffs.
“We put ourselves in a foul position, but we are able to still make history and are available back one game at a time,” Houston big man Alperen Sengun said. “Play at home, come back here, just do the identical thing we’re doing.”
READ: NBA: LeBron unfazed as Lakers drop one other clincher vs Rockets
That game is one in all three Game 6 matchups within the NBA on Friday night starting within the Eastern Conference with underdog Orlando Magic trying again to shut out its series against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. The second game of the night features James Harden and the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers trying to wrap up their series against the fifth-seed Toronto Raptors.
In Friday’s nightcap the Rockets will attempt to get a win to change into just the fifth team in NBA history to force a Game 7 after losing the primary three games of a series. Not one of the 159 teams that were in a 0-3 hole have won the series.
They’ll likely do it without superstar Kevin Durant, who has missed the last three games with an ankle injury after sitting out of the series opener with a bruised knee. He’s listed as doubtful for Game 6.
“You can’t take off days anymore,” Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. said. “In the event you lose, you go home, and on this team, no person desires to go home. Everybody is here to fight.”
READ: NBA Playoffs: Austin Reaves returning to Lakers’ lineup for Game 5
The Lakers couldn’t finish off the Rockets on Wednesday night despite the return of Austin Reaves, the team’s second-leading scorer within the regular season who had been out since April 2 with an oblique injury.
He scored 22 points on 4-of-16 shooting in 34 minutes off the bench within the 99-93 loss.
LeBron James expects him to be more dynamic on Friday night after shaking the rust off in Game 5.
“Just a few of his jump shots were short. That is sensible. He hasn’t played in a month,” James said. “He gives us one other ballhandler, one other attacking threat at the purpose of attack, so it’s great for us.”
In Toronto, the Raptors are also feeling confident despite their 125-120 loss in Game 5 and a few injury concerns.
“I like our odds 100%,” Toronto’s Scottie Barnes said. “We’re going to go home and we’re going to get it done.”
They might have to try this without All-Star Brandon Ingram, who left Wednesday night’s game within the second quarter with right heel inflammation and is listed as questionable for Game 6. Ingram scored only one point before his early exit. Barnes can be not 100% after being kneed within the quadriceps while driving to the rim through the second quarter.
“Obviously, we want (Ingram) out on the ground,” Barnes said. “His playmaking ability and his defense and the whole lot he brings.”
Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson knows one other huge mental test is coming up for this group after rallying to win on Wednesday night.
“These are high pressure moments,” he said. “You’re down, you may feel the gang getting nervous. So, I feel we took a step (Wednesday). Now the large one is are you able to go and beat this team on the road? Can we go in there and go take this because we haven’t shown we are able to yet.”
The Pistons avoided elimination behind Cade Cunningham’s franchise playoff-record 45 points in a 116-109 win in Game 5.
Now the Magic will attempt to close it out again to win a playoff series for the primary time since 2010. In the event that they’re capable of pull it off, they’ll be only the second No. 8 seed to win its first-round series after advancing through the play-in tournament and first since Miami in 2023.
Detroit Pistons vs Orlando Magic
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) goes to the basket between Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) and forward Jamal Cain (8) through the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
When/Where to Watch: Game 6, 7 a.m. PHT.
Series: Magic lead 3-2.
Betting line: Pistons by 3 ½
What to Know: Cunningham, the No. 1 pick within the 2021 draft, played like a franchise player should Wednesday night to permit the Pistons to increase the series. Now they’ll need one other big performance from the 24-year-old to force Game 7 as they chase their first playoff series win since 2008. He has taken 23 shots in each of the last three games but was rather more efficient in Game 5. Cunningham made 13 shots Wednesday after making just eight and 7 respectively within the previous two games. Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, the highest pick within the 2022 draft, also scored 45 points in Game 5 but missed 7 of 12 free throws. The Magic can have to rely upon his scoring again in Game 6 with Franz Wagner out for a second straight game with a strained right calf. Wagner averaged 17 points and 5.5 rebounds in the primary 4 games of the series because the Magic built a 3-1 series lead.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder goes to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett through the second half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, In Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
When/Where to Watch: Game 6, 7:30 a.m. PHT.
Series: Cavaliers lead 3-2.
Betting line: Cavaliers by 3 1/2
What to Know: The Cavaliers look to shut out the series by doing something that hasn’t been done in the primary five games, winning on the opposite team’s home floor. That is the one first-round series where home court has held serve. A serious point of emphasis for Atkinson is reducing turnovers. Cleveland railed from a 12-point second-half deficit for the win despite the Raptors scoring 28 points off 15 Cavaliers turnovers. The Raptors look to avoid elimination despite having Ingram and Barnes injured.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) looks to drive around Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) who reaches in through the first half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
When/Where to Watch: Game 6, 9:30 a.m. PHT.
Series: Lakers lead 3-2.
Betting line: Rockets by 3 1/2.
What to Know: With Durant out, the Rockets have relied on a balanced scoring attack to win the last two games with each starter scoring a minimum of 12 points in each games. They know they’ll need to proceed that to maintain the series alive and in addition they must proceed their strong 3-point shooting. The Rockets have made 26 3-pointers combined within the last two games after managing just 18 within the previous two games. The Lakers have to play much cleaner to finish the series after they’d 38 turnovers combined of their two losses. “You give credit where credit is due,” James said. “They played well the last two games, exceptionally well, and we’ve got to reply the decision.”