Houston and Detroit both won pivotal games to keep their playoff hopes alive

NBAFrom The Sports Desk: Staying alive The Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons staved off elimination to force a Game 6 in their respective seriesListen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James struggles to get a shot off against the Houston Rockets.Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 30, 2026, 3:00 PM EDTBy Rohan Nadkarni and Sahil KapurAfter falling behind the Los Angeles Lakers 3-0, the Houston Rockets have now won two games to force a Game 6. Are the Rockets delaying the inevitable? Or is this the start of an epic comeback? The same could be said of the Detroit Pistons, who forced a Game 6 in their series against the Orlando Magic, too.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Also, F1 arrives this weekend in Miami, where Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, an 19-year-old Italian prodigy, will seek to win his third race in a row. Our Sahil Kapur breaks down all the top storylines to expect.For more F1 and NBA playoff coverage, be sure to check the NBC News website. NBA PlayoffsThe No. 5-seed Houston Rockets are one step closer to becoming the first NBA team to overcome a 3-0 series deficit after a 99-93 win last night over the No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers, sending the series back to Texas. The Rockets have responded impressively after an embarrassing defeat in Game 3, in which Houston lost despite having the ball and a six-point lead with roughly 30 seconds to go.Last night, the Rockets controlled the action, leading for 67% of the game, holding off a late comeback attempt by the Lakers. All five of Houston’s starters scored in double figures, led by Jabari Smith Jr.’s 22. Jabari Smith Jr. of the Houston Rockets shoots a three-pointer against the Los Angeles Lakers during game five of the first round playoffs last night. Adam Pantozzi / NBAE via Getty ImagesHow has Houston gotten back into the series? Shooting. In games 1-3, th...