{"id":241430,"date":"2026-05-02T02:51:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T02:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/02\/playoffs-chaos-after-74-year-low-in-horrific-nba-collapse-ot-miracle-and-big-lebron-goat-call\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T02:51:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T02:51:00","slug":"playoffs-chaos-after-74-year-low-in-horrific-nba-collapse-ot-miracle-and-big-lebron-goat-call","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/02\/playoffs-chaos-after-74-year-low-in-horrific-nba-collapse-ot-miracle-and-big-lebron-goat-call\/","title":{"rendered":"Playoffs chaos after 74-year low in \u2018horrific\u2019 NBA collapse, OT miracle and big LeBron GOAT call"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>RJ Barrett\u2019s game winning three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left on the clock in overtime has forced a game seven as the Toronto Raptors claimed a 112-110 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers.<\/p>\n<p>Barrett\u2019s shot teased the Toronto crowd as the ball bounced high off the rim before eventually dropping into the net to level the series and ensure the Raptors will take another trip to Cleveland.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>\ufeffWatch NBA with ESPN on Kayo Sports | Stream an average 9 LIVE Regular Season games per week plus the best of the NBA Playoffs.| New to Kayo? <a href=\"https:\/\/kayosports.com.au\/en-AU\/welcome?pg=default&amp;extcamp=fsaeditoriallinkbasketball-edt-fsp-lnk-awr-grc-basketball-kyo&amp;channel=fsa&amp;campaign=fsacontra&amp;voucher=\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<div class=\"e5mrwj-0 jpgUYc\"><amp-iframe width=\"16\" height=\"9\" title=\"Minutely\" layout=\"responsive\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-top-navigation\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" src=\"https:\/\/snippet.tldw.me\/amp\/amp-launcher.html?publisher=204500&amp;placement=4280\" class=\"i-amphtml-layout-responsive i-amphtml-layout-size-defined\" i-amphtml-layout=\"responsive\" id=\"i-amp-0\"><i-amphtml-sizer style=\"display:block;padding-top:56.25%\"\/><amp-img layout=\"fill\" src=\"https:\/\/content.foxsports.com.au\/fs\/electrode\/poster-fallback.png\" placeholder=\"true\" i-amphtml-ssr=\"\" data-hero=\"\" class=\"i-amphtml-layout-fill i-amphtml-layout-size-defined\" i-amphtml-layout=\"fill\"><\/amp-img><\/amp-iframe><\/div>\n<p>In the absence of Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes stepped up for the Raptors, dominating in the paint with 25 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds, three blocks and three steals.<\/p>\n<p>Barnes produced team highs in each of those categories besides rebounds as Barrett reeled in nine to go with his 24 points.<\/p>\n<p>Ingram\u2019s replacement in the starting five Ja\u2019Kobe Walter took his chance with 24 points, while he matched Barnes with three steals.<\/p>\n<p>For the Cavaliers, Evan Mobley scored a game-high 26 points to go with a whopping 14 rebounds, while Donovan Mitchell contributed 24 points.<\/p>\n<p>Toronto led for most of the night, by as many as 15 points, before the Cavaliers powered back in the fourth quarter to set up an intense finish.<\/p>\n<p>Leading by two points with less than a minute remaining, Toronto handed Cleveland a final lifeline with a shot-clock violation.<\/p>\n<p>Mobley forced his way through the Raptors\u2019 defence to tie up the game 104-104, and Toronto\u2019s Jamal Shead just missed a return shot at the end of regulation.<\/p>\n<p>In overtime, Cleveland nudged in front with a Donovan Mitchell driving layup, and led by two points until the game\u2019s final seconds.<\/p>\n<p>But RJ Barrett\u2019s three-pointer jump shot bounced off the heel of the rim, looped up in the air and dropped through the net to seal the Toronto win.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGlory be to God, man. I didn\u2019t make anything in the fourth quarter, overtime, I was playing bad&#8230; thank God I was able to make that shot,\u201d said Barrett.<\/p>\n<p>The fourth seed Cavaliers will have home court advantage for the game seven decider where either the top seed Detroit Pistons or the Orlando Magic await in the next round.<\/p>\n<p><b>READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><i>\ufeff\u2018Thrown a grenade\u2019: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com.au\/basketball\/nba\/nba-2026-matisse-thybulle-defends-tiago-splitter-as-portland-trail-blazers-coach-video-head-coach-search\/news-story\/7594cc39fc4ccbf09914e44d285e066f\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aussie NBA star\u2019s perfect answer goes viral<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com.au\/basketball\/nba\/nba-playoffs-scores-dyson-daniels-ejected-as-hawks-suffer-historic-nightmare-vs-knicks\/news-story\/b885a016c4a1b747524c31cb89ca1adb\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aussie star ejected in all-time NBA playoffs nightmare; star\u2019s mic drop as contender eliminated<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><i>\ufeff\u2018Don\u2019t say that\u2019: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com.au\/basketball\/nba\/cunningham-explodes-as-pistons-stay-alive-force-game-6-against-magic-nba-playoffs-wrap\/news-story\/231a6ae253ecf929b34f19d0e9bb4c3e\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fuming LeBron puts rival on notice in upset; star\u2019s \u2018disrespect\u2019 claims<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>EPIC COMEBACK SENDS TOP SEED TO GAME SEVEN<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The top-seeded Detroit Pistons recovered from the brink of NBA playoff elimination with an astounding comeback against the Orlando Magic, taking their series to a decisive game seven.<\/p>\n<p>Up 3-2 and seeking a close-out win, the Magic had led by as many as 24 in the second half, before their shooting suddenly collapsed and Detroit took full advantage.<\/p>\n<p>A shell-shocked Orlando missed 23 consecutive field goals &#8212; the longest streak in playoff history &#8212; scoring just one point in over 10 minutes of basketball.<\/p>\n<p>Boos rained down on the court as a 71-54 Magic advantage was transformed into an 80-72 Detroit lead, with a stunning 26-1 run.<\/p>\n<p>The Pistons sealed a 93-79 victory.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNever say die, simple as that. I mean, Detroit grit, it\u2019s what we\u2019ve been talking about all year,\u201d said Cade Cunningham, who led the way with 32 points and 10 rebounds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-11i7hbm-0 eUyOEq\"><amp-img alt=\"Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) and guard Cade Cunningham (2) shake hands.\" src=\"https:\/\/content.api.news\/v3\/images\/bin\/1a80f3bfaaa4da9d6f2291be1e9c641b\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.api.news\/v3\/images\/bin\/1a80f3bfaaa4da9d6f2291be1e9c641b?width=320 320w, https:\/\/content.api.news\/v3\/images\/bin\/1a80f3bfaaa4da9d6f2291be1e9c641b?width=640 640w, https:\/\/content.api.news\/v3\/images\/bin\/1a80f3bfaaa4da9d6f2291be1e9c641b?width=768 768w\" layout=\"responsive\" attribution=\"test\" class=\"i-amphtml-layout-responsive i-amphtml-layout-size-defined\" i-amphtml-layout=\"responsive\"><i-amphtml-sizer style=\"display:block;padding-top:56.25%\"\/><\/amp-img><figcaption class=\"sc-11i7hbm-1 gSnntl\"><span>Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) and guard Cade Cunningham (2) shake hands.<\/span><span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Having been down 3-1 in the series, the Pistons had looked set to become just the seventh top seed in NBA history to lose in the first round to their conference\u2019s bottom seed.<\/p>\n<p>But they now have a chance to win the series back in Detroit on Sunday, and progress to an Eastern semi-final against either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Toronto Raptors.<\/p>\n<p>After an even first quarter, Orlando went on a hot streak for a sudden 17-point lead. Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr. all sank three-pointers in less than a minute.<\/p>\n<p>Paolo Banchero stirred to life too, with Orlando shooting 62 per cent in the second quarter as their defence restricted Detroit to 12 points.<\/p>\n<p>Orlando\u2019s lead stretched to 24 soon after the break, before an epic Pistons fightback began.<\/p>\n<p>Detroit were suddenly winning every turnover, while the Magic\u2019s shooting collapsed under the pressure of trying to close out their first playoff series win since 2010.<\/p>\n<p>The Pistons, having dominated the regular season with a 60-22 record, will now be favourites to win their own first playoff series since 2008.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThank God we get to take this back to the crib. It\u2019s gonna be loud in Detroit, and we got to finish our business,\u201d said Cunningham, who scored 19 in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n<p><b>LAKERS FINALLY ADVANCE AS ROCKETS FACE BIG SUMMER<\/b><\/p>\n<p>In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the second round with a 98-78 victory in Houston to overcome the Rockets 4-2 after leading 3-0.<\/p>\n<p>LeBron James was once again instrumental for the Lakers with a game high 28 points, plus eight assists and seven rebounds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo me he\u2019s had the greatest career of any NBA player\u201d, Lakers coach JJ Redick said on James.<\/p>\n<p>Both teams were missing superstars with Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant sidelined with injury, and the Lakers covered their loss better.<\/p>\n<p>To go with 41-year-old James\u2019 star showing, Rui Hachimura put up 21 points, while Deandre Ayton grabbed 16 rebounds.<\/p>\n<p>Austin Reaves also chipped in with 15 points as the Lakers progressed to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2023.<\/p>\n<p>The win spared the Lakers\u2019 blushes. A loss would have left them one defeat away from being the first team in NBA history to squander a 3-0 playoff lead.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot of our guys, quite frankly, have not been in this position, have not been in a close-out situation, especially on the road, so it was important for me to go out and set the tone,\u201d said James.<\/p>\n<p>They will next face top seed and reigning NBA champions the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have been enjoying some rest in recent days after sweeping the Phoenix Suns.<\/p>\n<p>The Rockets, meanwhile, will be forced to decide whether to continue going all-in around Durant or cutting their losses and rebuilding, while they had also been floated as a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo suitor if they crashed out of the playoffs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com.au\/basketball\/nba-playoffs-2026-toronto-raptors-overtime-win-against-cleveland-cavaliers-in-game-six-detroit-pistons-epic-comeback-against-orlando-magic-to-send-series-to-game-seven\/news-story\/db5b20e76db740a76d1fe38ef2fe648e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>RJ Barrett\u2019s game winning three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left on the clock in overtime has forced a game seven as the Toronto Raptors claimed a 112-110 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Barrett\u2019s shot teased the Toronto crowd as the ball bounced high off the rim before eventually dropping into the net to level the series [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":241431,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6807],"tags":[1800,72538,2055,4175,17648,2064,2159,1943,72540,72541,72537,47077,3118,2837,2277,48210,1788,2844,5742,3125,1960,1533,1809,2181,2151,1977,72539,6354,72535,2991,72536,6004,11116,2077,1938,1792,10930],"class_list":{"0":"post-241430","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leagues-cups","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-astounding-comeback","10":"tag-atlanta-hawks","11":"tag-brandon-ingram","12":"tag-cade-cunningham","13":"tag-canada","14":"tag-cleveland","15":"tag-cleveland-cavaliers","16":"tag-clutch-overtime-shot","17":"tag-collapse-spares","18":"tag-consecutive-field-goals","19":"tag-decisive-game","20":"tag-detroit","21":"tag-detroit-pistons","22":"tag-epic-comeback","23":"tag-epic-scenes","24":"tag-espn-inc","25":"tag-evan-mobley","26":"tag-home-court-advantage","27":"tag-michigan","28":"tag-new-york-knicks","29":"tag-north-america","30":"tag-northern-america","31":"tag-ohio","32":"tag-ontario","33":"tag-orlando-magic","34":"tag-overtime-shot-sets","35":"tag-overtime-win","36":"tag-playoff-elimination","37":"tag-playoff-series","38":"tag-spares-top-seed","39":"tag-tobias-harris","40":"tag-top-seed","41":"tag-toronto","42":"tag-toronto-raptors","43":"tag-united-states-of-america","44":"tag-wendell-carter"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=241430"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241430\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/241431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=241430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=241430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}