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  • Ausar Thompson SF | DET

    Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Grabs 15 boards, adds five steals

    Thompson posted six points (3-5 FG, 0-2 FT), 15 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and five steals over 36 minutes during Wednesday's 116-109 win over the Magic in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    Thompson was a beast on the glass, pulling down a game-high 15 rebounds while adding seven combined steals and blocks. Despite inconsistent production on the offensive end, Thompson has delivered elsewhere, averaging 9.4 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.4 blocks through the first five games of the series. The Pistons now trail 3-2 and will head to Orlando in hopes of forcing a Game 7.

  • Jamal Cain SF | ORL

    Magic's Jamal Cain: Quiet despite spot start

    Cain supplied five points (1-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-7 FT), four rebounds and one assist in 25 minutes during Wednesday's 116-109 loss to the Pistons in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    Cain was inserted into the starting lineup after Franz Wagner was ruled out due to a calf injury. However, despite the promotion, Cain was unable to elevate his production, continuing what has been a quiet series thus far. Through five games, he has averaged just 5.8 points and 3.2 rebounds.

  • Anthony Black SG | ORL

    Magic's Anthony Black: Increased role Wednesday

    Black totaled 19 points (7-12 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists and three steals over 39 minutes during Wednesday's 116-109 loss to the Pistons in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    Black saw an uptick in both playing time and production off the bench, essentially serving as the fifth starter due to Franz Wagner being ruled out with a calf injury. While it has been a relatively quiet series for Black, his efforts in the loss were much-improved. In his five appearances, Black has averaged just 8.2 points, 2.0 steals and 1.2 three-pointers. Should Wagner be forced to miss additional time, expect to see Black playing upwards of 32 minutes moving forward, and he could replace Jamal Cain in the starting lineup in Game 6.

  • Jalen Suggs PG | ORL

    Magic's Jalen Suggs: Logs series-high 37 minutes

    Suggs finished with 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), two rebounds, five assists and three steals in 37 minutes during Wednesday's 116-109 loss to the Pistons in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    Suggs logged 37 minutes, the most he has played thus far during the playoffs. After another season littered with injuries, Suggs has managed to stay relatively healthy over the past month, appearing in 15 games. As for the playoffs, Suggs has scored double digits in four of his five appearances, averaging 13.0 points, 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.4 three-pointers.

  • Rockets' Alperen Sengun: Full stat line in Game 5 win

    Sengun supplied 14 points (5-9 FG, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals and one block across 43 minutes in Wednesday's 99-93 win over the Lakers in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

    Sengun wasn't very aggressive hunting his shot, though he delivered an efficient performance and was one of five Rockets players to score in double figures. The star big man also led the team in rebounds and dished out a game- and series-best eight assists. Additionally, he chipped in at least three combined steals-plus-blocks for the third time in the series. Sengun and the Rockets will now attempt to force a Game 7 with a victory in Friday's Game 6 in Houston.

  • RJ Barrett SG | TOR

    Raptors' RJ Barrett: Double-doubles in Game 5 defeat

    Barrett tallied 25 points (9-19 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 5-9 FT), 12 rebounds and five assists in 38 minutes during Wednesday's 125-120 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    Barrett was relatively efficient in this one, though he did struggle at the charity stripe. Still, the 25-year-old forward led the Raptors in scoring and has now reached the 20-point threshold in four of five first-round outings. He also recorded his first double-double of the season with a game- and season-best 12 rebounds. Barrett and the Raptors will aim to stave off elimination in Friday's Game 6 in Toronto, though they could be without Brandon Ingram, who left Wednesday's loss early due to right heel inflammation.

  • James Harden PG | CLE

    Cavaliers' James Harden: Scores 23 points in Game 5 win

    Harden produced 23 points (7-13 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block in 40 minutes during Wednesday's Game 5 win over the Raptors in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    After dropping two straight games, the Cavaliers took care of business at home to reestablish their series lead. Harden has been solid through five games, posting averages of 22.0 points, 6.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 3.2 three-pointers.

  • Pistons' Cade Cunningham: Erupts for 45 points in Game 5 win

    Cunningham posted 45 points (13-23 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 14-14 FT), five assists, four rebounds and one steal across 44 minutes in Wednesday's 116-109 win over the Magic in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    The star point guard turned in an efficient performance and tied Paolo Banchero for the game-high mark in points. Cunningham scored 20 points in the second quarter alone and finished one point away from tying his career high. His efficiency was also extremely encouraging, as he had shot just 32.6 percent from the floor in the previous two games. Cunningham and the Pistons will look to stave off elimination once again in Friday's Game 6 in Orlando.

  • Paolo Banchero PF | ORL

    Magic's Paolo Banchero: Pours in 45 points in Game 5 loss

    Banchero registered 45 points (17-31 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 5-12 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 41 minutes during Wednesday's 116-109 loss to the Pistons in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    Banchero matched Cade Cunningham's 45 points, but it wasn't enough as the Magic now hold a 3-2 series lead. With 45 points on the night, Banchero now holds the second-highest scoring total in Orlando's postseason history. If Franz Wagner (calf) continues to miss time, it's clear that Banchero is going to have the greenest of lights.

  • Austin Reaves SG | LAL

    Lakers' Austin Reaves: Not starting Wednesday

    Reaves (oblique) won't start Wednesday's Game 5 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Rockets, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

    Reaves has been cleared to return to action following an extended absence due to a Grade 2 left oblique strain, though he'll come off the bench and may have his minutes monitored. Still, his return will leave fewer minutes available for guys like Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia and Bronny James.

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