NBA Notes: Rockets, Alperen Sengun, Lakers, LeBron James, Pistons

Rockets

The Rockets are still breathing. And now, they’re heading home with real belief.

Facing elimination again, Houston beat the Lakers 99-93 in Game 5, trimming the series to 3-2 and forcing a Game 6 back in Texas.

“We put ourselves in a bad position, but we can still make history,” Alperen Sengun said, via The Associated Press. “One game at a time. Play at home, come back here. Just do the same thing we’re doing.”

That’s two straight wins for Houston, both without Kevin Durant.

Jabari Smith Jr. led the way with 22 points. Tari Eason added 18. Sengun flirted with a triple-double.

And late, it was Reed Sheppard flipping the game.

“After what happened in Game 3, we could have very easily shut it down,” he said. “That’s not what we did. We watched it. We learned. We keep fighting.”

Houston has done just that. Balanced offense. Smarter possessions. Belief growing by the night.

History says a 3-0 hole is too much. The Rockets are making you at least think twice.

Lakers

The Lakers still lead the series. But the margin just got a lot thinner.

They fell to Houston 99-93 in Game 5, their second straight loss, and now head to Game 6 with a 3-2 lead instead of a handshake line.

“Listen, it’s one game,” LeBron James said. “You give credit where it’s due. They’ve played exceptionally well the last two games. We’ve got to answer the call.”

They didn’t quite do that here. Fifteen turnovers told most of the story. Too many empty trips. Too many missed chances late.

Austin Reaves returned with 22 points. Deandre Ayton added 18 points and 17 rebounds. James finished with 25.

But the Lakers couldn’t close. They made a late push, got it to one possession, and still came up short.

Now it shifts to Houston. Still a 3-2 edge. Still control. But suddenly, it feels like work.

Pistons

The Pistons weren’t ready to go on vacations. Not with this kind of fight.

Detroit beat Orlando 116-109 in Game 5, cutting the series deficit to 3-2 and sending it back to Florida with momentum.

And it happened behind a night to remember from Cade Cunningham.

“Not everybody is blessed with these moments,” Cunningham said. “I just try to make the most of it.”

He made the most of everything. Forty-five points. Franchise playoff record. Season saved. He needed all of them, too.

Paolo Banchero matched him with 45 of his own.

“In the heat of the moment, you’re not thinking about it,” Banchero said. “You’re just trying to win. But yeah, one day you look back and say that was a hell of a game.”

It was that and more. A duel. A back-and-forth. In the end, Cunningham with the dagger fadeaway in the final minute.

“We come out swinging, kicking, scratching, clawing,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Whatever’s necessary. Until that fat lady starts singing, we got life.”

They’ve got it now. Down 3-2. Heading to Game 6. And very much still in this thing.