Cunningham’s heroics keep Pistons alive; Lakers stumble again against Rockets

NBA Finals: Knicks Aim for Stronger Start Against Spurs in Crucial Game 4

Cade Cunningham delivered a playoff-record 45-point performance to keep the Detroit Pistons alive with a 116-109 win over the Orlando Magic, cutting the first-round series deficit to 3-2.

Cunningham added a clutch three-pointer in the closing moments to seal the win and force Game 6 in Orlando.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers failed again to close out their series, falling 99-93 to the Houston Rockets despite 25 points from LeBron James. Houston narrowed the series to 3-2 and now heads home with momentum. In another Eastern Conference clash, the Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Toronto Raptors 125-120 to move within one win of advancing.