{"id":422150,"date":"2026-05-02T18:01:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T18:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/422150\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T18:01:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T18:01:17","slug":"starting-5-cade-drives-historic-comeback-rj-gets-ot-bounce-sixers-celtics-tonight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/422150\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: Cade drives historic comeback, RJ gets OT bounce, Sixers-Celtics tonight"},"content":{"rendered":"

The bounce that saved a season.<\/p>\n

RJ Barrett\u2019s miraculous 3 in OT sends Raptors-Cavs to Game 7.<\/p>\n

Get ready for three first-round Game 7s for the first time since 2003.<\/p>\n

\"RJ<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

May 2, 2026<\/p>\n

Game 7 Primer: Everything you need to know for tonight\u2019s Game 7 between the Sixers and Celtics<\/p>\n

How We Got Here: Walk back through six star-packed Philly-Boston games that led to Game 7<\/p>\n

Comeback Cade: Cunningham\u2019s Pistons stun Magic with 24-point rally to force Game 7 Sunday<\/p>\n

Saving Bounce: Toronto-native RJ Barrett saves Raps\u2019 season, forces Game 7 with big-bounce OT 3<\/p>\n

Lakers Moving On: LeBron\u2019s near triple-double, Lakers\u2019 D close out Rockets; OKC up next<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

Game 7 Saturday\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

It all comes down to this, as the 76ers and Celtics clash in this postseason\u2019s first Game 7 (7:30 ET, NBC & Peacock | Tap To Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Up Next: Two more Game 7s come your way Sunday, with finales for the Magic and Pistons (3:30 ET, ABC) and the Raptors and Cavaliers (7:30 ET, NBC & Peacock).<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s three Game 7s in the First Round are the 2nd-most since the change to the current 7-game format in 2003.<\/p>\n

\"Playoffs<\/p>\n

1. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR SIXERS-CELTICS GAME 7<\/p>\n

\"Tyrese<\/p>\n

\u201cGame 7.\u201d<\/p>\n

The best two words\u00a0in sports.<\/p>\n

Two words the Sixers and Celtics have heard more than most.<\/p>\n

Tonight (7:30 ET, NBC & Peacock), the storied rivals will meet again on that stage, this time to decide who advances to face the No. 3 Knicks in the East Semis.<\/p>\n

Game 7 Suits Them: For Boston, Saturday marks the 38th Game 7 in franchise history, the most for any NBA franchise. The C\u2019s are 27-10 all-time in Game 7s
\nNo Stranger: It\u2019s the 19th Game 7 for Philly, good for 3rd-most in the NBA
\nGoing The Distance Early: For all their experience, this is just the fifth (3-1) first-round Game 7 for the Celtics, and the first since 2018 (W). In Philly, this will be their first
\nSetting Of 7: In Game 7s it\u2019s hosted, Boston is 22-6, while the Sixers have a 1-10 Game 7 road record. That lone road win came in 1982 \u2013 at Boston Garden<\/p>\n

Celtics All-Stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will share the floor together for their eighth of the franchise\u2019s 37 Game 7s, which will tie for the 2nd-most of any C\u2019s duo.<\/p>\n

Jays In Sevens: Tatum averages 26.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg and 5.1 apg in his seven career Game 7s, while Brown adds 16.5 ppg and 5.8 rpg
\nExpected to all play together for a fourth straight game, this would be Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George\u2019s first Game 7 as teammates
\nProcess Points: Maxey is leading the Sixers with 26.3 ppg and 6.5 apg on 41.2 3P% in the series, while Embiid has added 26.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 7.3 apg after his near triple-double in Game 6
\nPlayoff P Loading: George is coming off his highest-scoring game of the series \u2013\u00a023 pts \u2013 bumping him up to 18.2 ppg on 54.3 3P%
\nC\u2019s Top Scorers: In the series, the Celtics are led by Brown\u2019s 24.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 3.2 apg, while Tatum has added 23.3 ppg, 10.7 rpg, and 6.8 apg<\/p>\n

\"Joel<\/p>\n

Jesse D. Garrabrant\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Three-Ball Key: Boston has shot at least 36% from 3-point range in its three wins in this series, but was held below 30% in all three losses.<\/p>\n

Impacting Identity: The Celtics have seen their made threes drop per-game from 18.3 to 11.5 in the Sixers\u2019 back-to-back wins<\/p>\n

Read more on today\u2019s impending Sixers-Celtics Game 7:<\/p>\n

2. HOW WE GOT HERE: GAME 7 IN BOSTON
\n\"Jayson<\/p>\n

Maddie Meyer\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Right from opening night \u2013 a one-point win for VJ Edgecombe\u2019s eye-popping debut<\/a> \u2013 a Sixers-Celtics pairing had the makings of a thrilling series.<\/p>\n

Then, the refreshed rivals went on to play two more regular-season tilts decided by a single possession.<\/p>\n

In this first-round face-off, No. 2 Boston set the tone and No. 7 Philly has answered.<\/p>\n

Game 1: Jaylen Brown (26 pts) and Jayson Tatum (25 pts) set the scoring pace<\/a> while Boston held Philly under 100 points, 123-91 (1-0 Boston)
\nGame 2: VJ Edgecombe (30 pts) and Tyrese Maxey (29 pts) helped the Sixers even the series<\/a>, despite 36 from Brown, 111-97 (1-1)
\nGame 3: Tatum made his mark in the series with a takeover on the road<\/a>, dropping 11 of his 25 in the 4th, including the dagger triple with 25.3 seconds left, 108-100 (2-1 Boston)
\nGame 4: Payton Pritchard dropped 32 points, hitting six of Boston\u2019s Playoff record 24 triples<\/a> in a 128-96 win. Joel Embiid (appendectomy) made his series debut with 26 points (3-1 Boston)
\nGame 5: With the rust removed, Embiid extended the series<\/a> with 33 points, his first 30+ point game in the Playoffs in 2 years. Philly also held Boston under 100 points for the first time in the series, 113-97 (3-2 Boston)
\nGame 6: Back at home, Philly faced down elimination again<\/a>, with 30 from Maxey, Embiid\u2019s (19 pts, 10 reb, 8 ast) near triple-double, and PG\u2019s (23 pts) 2nd-highest scoring Playoff game since 2021. Boston was kept under 100 points again, 106-93 (3-3)<\/p>\n

But tonight\u2019s Game 7 goes back farther than the six showdowns of this series, linked all the way back to 2012.<\/p>\n

\"Paul<\/p>\n

Brian Babineau\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been playing these guys for so long, I\u2019m tired of losing to them,\u201d Embiid said in the lead-up to Game 7. \u2026 \u201cWe have a chance to accomplish something special.\u201d
\nEmbiid\u2019s era followed the end of the Celtics\u2019 \u201cBig 3,\u201d marked by a 2012 Philly-Boston Game 7 where the championship C\u2019s of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were pushed by Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday\u2019s 76ers
\nNew Blood: In came the drafts of Tatum, Brown, and Embiid, and a renewed rivalry that met in three Playoff series from 2018 to 2024
\nLast Time: 2024 brought these franchises\u2019 most recent Game 7, where Tatum\u2019s 51-point explosion set the record for most points in a Game 7 in NBA history<\/p>\n

What new twist will Philly and Boston\u2019s latest Game 7 chapter bring tonight?<\/p>\n

3. CADE, PISTONS ROAR BACK FROM 24 DOWN TO FORCE GAME 7<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Down by 24 less than one minute into the 2nd half.<\/p>\n

Up by 14 with 2:34 left in the game.<\/p>\n

No. 1 Detroit came all the way back Friday night, both from its largest in-game deficit of the series, and an even more daunting 3-1 series hole.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe dug ourselves a deep hole, and it\u2019s time for us to climb our way out,\u201d Cade Cunningham said postgame.<\/p>\n

Pistons 93, Magic 79: Cunningham (10 reb, 4 stl) followed up his 45-point Game 5 by leading the charge back to save Detroit\u2019s season and force Game 7, netting 32 points, including 19 in the 4th quarter.<\/p>\n

Tobias Harris (22 pts, 10 reb) again supported Cade, while Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane led Orlando with 17 apiece. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Magic Couldn\u2019t Miss: After a back-and-forth 1st, Orlando started the 2nd on a 16-2 run and then didn\u2019t miss a field goal for over 4 minutes, for a 35-12 quarter
\nA Shift: Orlando\u2019s 60-38 halftime lead stretched to that 24-point high with the first make of the 3rd \u2013\u00a0but they wouldn\u2019t score from the field again for over 6 minutes
\nDetroit\u2019s vaunted D kicked in, weathering a 7-0 spurt to hold Orlando to an 11-point 3rd, and doubling down to allow just eight in the 4th
\nMagic Tough Stretch: Orlando missed 23 consecutive shots in that 4th, in what became a 19-point 2nd half of just four made field goals
\nMotor Cade: That opened the door for Cunningham to drive the Pistons back into the game, mounting the first 19+ point 4th in an elimination game since Jamal Murray in 2020<\/p>\n

\"Cade<\/p>\n

Rich Storry\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cNever say \u2018die\u2019 \u2013 simple as that. Detroit grit,\u201d said Cunningham of the largest road comeback win in a Playoff elimination game of the play-by-play era.<\/p>\n

Franchise First: The 24-point rally is also the Pistons\u2019 largest comeback Playoff win of the play-by-play era
\nSwing Kings: Detroit is the first team in NBA Playoff history to win by 14 after trailing by 20+ at half. Only one other team (20-21 Clippers) has won by double-digits in that situation
\n\u201cNot everybody gets the opportunity to have a challenge like this in life,\u201d Cade said of the 3-1 climb-back. \u201cJust trying to make the most of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, the superstar with 77 combined points over his last two games hosts his first Game 7. And Cade\u2019s as eager as he is dangerous.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcited for it. Let\u2019s get to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Game 7 gets going Sunday at 3:30 ET in Detroit (ABC).<\/p>\n

4. TORONTO\u2019S BARRETT SINKS HIGH-BOUNCE 3 IN OT TO SAVE SEASON<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Six-plus Playoff games (counting OT) \u2013 292-plus minutes of action\u2026 all came down to 1.7 seconds.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s how much time came off the clock while RJ Barrett\u2019s high-bouncing triple hung in the air \u2013\u00a0with the series hanging in the balance.<\/p>\n

When the shot dropped in, and Cleveland\u2019s counter clanged short, Toronto had forced Game 7.<\/p>\n

Raptors 112, Cavaliers 110 (OT): Barrett (24 pts, 9 reb) went bucket-for-bucket with Donovan Mitchell (24 pts, 5 reb) and Scottie Barnes (25 pts, 7 reb, 3 stl, 3 blk) dueled with Evan Mobley (26 pts, 14 reb) while dishing a Playoff career-high 14 assists as Toronto again staved off elimination. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Cavs\u2019 Comeback: Mitchell logged 11 of Cleveland\u2019s 23 points in the 4th as the Cavs chipped away at the Raptors\u2019 11-point edge
\nMobley\u2019s make with 15 seconds left tied the game (104-all) for the first time since the start of the 2nd quarter, and ultimately forced OT after a Cavs\u2019 defensive stand
\nJames Harden (16 pts, 9 reb, 9 ast) scored four quick points in overtime for Cleveland\u2019s first lead since the 1st quarter, putting pressure on Toronto to save its season
\nBut the Raptors\u2019 swarming D, which forced three OT turnovers, put the Toronto native Barrett in a position to extend the series
\n\u201cOff The Heel!<\/a>\u201d Barrett\u2019s season-saving shot had the bounce of Tyrese Haliburton\u2019s<\/a> East Finals game-winner from last year, and glimmers of Kawhi Leonard\u2019s 2019 East Semis clincher<\/a> for the Raps<\/p>\n

\"RJ<\/p>\n

Mark Blinch\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cMy teammates trusted me,\u201d Barrett said. \u201cI told Scott [Barnes] right before the shot\u2026 \u2018If you\u2019ve got nothing, I got you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Barnes\u2019 assist on the game-winner set his Playoff career-high and matched Chris Childs\u2019 (2002) Raptors Playoff record. He\u2019s also the first Raptor with multiple 25+ point, 10+ assist, 5+ rebound Playoff games
\n\u201cI said earlier we\u2019re gonna do it for Toronto\u2026 every night,\u201d Barrett said. \u201cIt meant a lot\u2026 Now we gotta go get Game 7.\u201d
\n\u201cSometimes the basketball gods aren\u2019t with you,\u201d Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said of Barrett\u2019s bouncer. \u201cAnd then it\u2019s like, \u2018OK, let\u2019s go get Game 7.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Game 7 tips Sunday in Cleveland (7:30 ET, NBC & Peacock) to decide a series where all six games have gone to the home team.<\/p>\n

5. LEBRON LEADS LAKERS TO ELIMINATE ROCKETS, OKC UP NEXT<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The third time was the charm for LeBron James and the Lakers Friday.<\/p>\n

Lakers 98, Rockets 78: With Houston facing elimination in a third straight game, L.A. fired up defensively for the edge it needed to clinch the series 4-2, getting 28 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists from James and a late lift from Rui Hachimura (21 pts, 6 reb, 5 3s).<\/p>\n

Amen Thompson (18 pts, 8 reb) and Alperen Sengun (17 pts, 11 reb) led the Rockets without Kevin Durant (knee) as Houston\u2019s run ends in the first round for the second straight season.<\/p>\n

The No. 4 Lakers now move on to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, advancing to the Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2023. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Road Run: L.A. used a 27-3 surge to flip a 5-point 1st-quarter deficit to a 19-point 2nd-quarter advantage, which kept the team ahead for good
\nRestrict Reed\u2019s Range: The Lakers keyed in on Game 5 X-factor Reed Sheppard (10 pts) on D, limiting him to 1-of-10 shooting from 3, and Houston as a whole to 5-of-28 (17.9 3P%)
\nKing\u2019s Conquests: LeBron achieved his 22nd-career series-clinching win on the road Friday, passing Derek Fisher and Tim Duncan for most all-time<\/p>\n

\"LeBron<\/p>\n

Jesse D. Garrabrant\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just has this ability to set the tone for the entire group,\u201d coach JJ Redick said of James. \u201cHe did that again tonight, and our guys responded. And I\u2019m really happy for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of our guys\u2026 have not been in a closeout situation, and then especially on the road,\u201d James said. \u201cSo, it\u2019s important for me to go out and set the tone.\u201d
\n\u201cThe way [LeBron] can control a game, it\u2019s impressive,\u201d said Austin Reaves, who provided 15 points in his second game back (oblique). \u201cThe stuff that [he\u2019s] doing is not normal.\u201d
\nLuka Doncic (hamstring) remains out, despite this reminder of his skills<\/a>, as L.A. prepares to face the top-seed Thunder (day\/time\/network TBD)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n