Here after 5: NYK/DET, HOU/GSW, DEN/LAC

GOLDEN STATE 3, HOUSTON 2

Amen Thompson , threatened with coming off the bench in an NBA game for the first time since 2024, was settled and secure throughout Game 6, remarkable composure for the 22-year old.

The Rockets weren't set to be swayed by Thompson's mood or mannerisms, but it was good to see Thompson work as if nothing happened, later putting Houston over the top in victory. The Rockets kept alive those legitimate championship interests and owned Game 5, 131-116. Houston was so thoroughly over the top that Golden State removed its starters with 5:49 left in the third period, down 29 points, Warriors coach Steve Kerr absolutely and utterly over it.

Houston biffed a dozen free throws in Monday's Game 4 loss, the Rockets splashed 11 free throw makes in as many attempts in Game 5's initial seven minutes. Houston extended its defense to the point where Golden State was uncomfortable, passing up good looks, declining to put the effort into developing the hard looks.

Flush with momentum and the ball, Houston spread the floor and found the corners, hit big jumpers in front of a cheering crowd, a lusty sub-70 percent shooting in the first half.

It charmed to see the Rockets play to potential for once, even if the Warriors barely bothered a pushback. Houston was the West's second-best team this season, typically the spot for the second-best team in the NBA. The group simply needed reminding of its stability, and its depth.

The Rockets are celebrated for youth, defense, but its ongoing advantage springs from simple stuff, effort and and sensibility with the ball and made jumpers. Tari Eason and Aaron Holiday (dusted off Houston's bench for important first half minutes) and Jabari Smith Jr. are darn-solid NBA players, the Rockets didn't have to answer anything about themselves, they just had to play well.

Play well after taking a hit. Amen Thompson knew for days that his tail was toast, and responded like an All-Star:

The Warriors benched their starters with a 93-64 score on the board in the third period, the Rockets followed suit several minutes later. The Golden State starters watched as Warrior reserves, deep reserves (Jonathan Kuminga was scratched with illness), dragged Houston's lead down to 17.

Houston lost a little nerve. Rockets coach Ime Udoka reinserted his starters in the fourth period and that kinda worked, though the Warriors still cut the lead to 13. Luckily for Houston, Kevin Knox is still really bad at NBA basketball, even when he's on the Warriors, and Houston held on to win.

Still, at least an extra half-quarter for Rocket starters as the Warrior vets sat and rested, and Pat Spencer got in a so-so headbutt.

Satisfying loss, if ever there was one.

Signifying? The Warriors better get their act together early and often in Game 6, otherwise the Rockets will be up 29 points again.

Game 6 in San Francisco on ESPN at 9:12ish PM Eastern

NEW YORK 3, DETROIT 2

Does anyone trust Detroit, in Detroit? Does Detroit?

The Pistons play well under pressure, in spots where execution and excellence is required to keep pace with the opponent. The Pistons proved that in this series, played well in Detroit.

Also lost in Detroit, twice.

Pistons in Manhattan? No problem, take two of three, nearly the whole bag.

At home? Calls don't go the home team's way. Home team's role players can't hit open shots.

The Knicks think they should be over with this series after five games and for good reason: Karl-Anthony Towns tied his team's game with three minutes to go in Game 5, as Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart limped to the bench, locker room. The Pistons pulled ahead with the pair sidelined, Tom Thibodeau couldn't get his starters in the game in a way which suited Tom's gameplan.

The result was Cam Payne, lots of Cam Payne, Cam Payne tossing a runner in the lane because Jalen Brunson is at the scorer's table and about to check in, Cam Payne taking one last shot before being pulled like there is 7:49 left in the second quarter. Instead of 1:49 left in a playoff game, down six.

The Knicks blew it well before Brunson and Hart fell. Hart and Brunson were yelling at each other long before they left the court, frustrated with defense, Detroit's ability to somehow pull each of the Knick bigs away from the goal – pick a side of the court.

Brunson was often left to keep Ausur Thompson and Jalen Duren off the boards and didn't, Mr. Brunson has a jaw to keep in place. Mikal Bridges took long twos out of timeouts. KAT displayed fugazi footwork directly in front of Tim Thomas, smart move, Tim Thomas is the only player in NBA history without the credibility to criticize KAT for not driving to the basket enough.

The Knicks were up for it, but so were the Pistons. It was the Knicks' job to make the Pistons feel silly for being up to it, for even showing up to Game 5, and the Knicks failed in this. The Knicks forgot that what worked in Michigan was defense, not worrying about what happened on offense.

Nitpicking, in a series close as this, but the Knicks had their chances. The Pistons missed 21-29 threes in New York and still the Knicks could not create an advantage. Piston risk-taker Dennis Schröder made mistakes early and spent the rest of the evening successfully making up for it. Cade Cunningham and Schröder continually tried to stem the tide by themselves and New York did not see this coming for whatever reason. Neither side grew used to the referees staying silent after contact, some stopped, some kept playing.

Then Thibs failed to bring is Villanova guys in. Gotta foul there.

If the Pistons put Jalen Duren in a position to return to the extra passes Jalen's made all season, Detroit will tie the series. New York's defense will not change, the approach will remain, the Knicks will simply try to do better. In the face of this, Detroit, move the ball when you're at home.

Game 6 in Detroit on Thursday at 7:30 PM Eastern on TNT

DENVER 3, L.A. CLIPPERS 2

This series appeared celestially intended for seven games long before it tipped, but things don't have to work out that way, Denver could close early. The Clippers rely on stops and timely buckets and Denver could match or even outclass this on the road, for a single and dedicated evening.

It was apparent even through his struggles in the first few games of the series that Jamal Murray would gain strength and accuracy toward the end of the first round. He skipped ahead a game or two, dropped a classic in Game 5, and the Nuggets are a few made shots from taking the Clippers out at home, Jamal doesn't have to go gonzo in Game 6, may not have to play a Game 7.

They may have to stand up to Russell Westbrook. Russ saved Denver's season in Game 5 but also blew just as much defensively. Tossed out bad double-teams, forced just as many on offense whenever he saw old friend James Harden ahead of him, lost composure whenever Westbrook considered Kris Dunn. Westbrook isn't the only one to consider Kris Dunn and grow angry, impatient.

If Westbrook doesn't hit, Nuggets coach David Adelman (in his ninth game as NBA head coach) requires relaying changes from the bench.

Things to carry over from Game 5? Re-recognizing James Harden's favorite hand – left – building Thursday around that.

(No, "carry over" isn't a pun, I've given up on traveling calls.)

Harden knows he can't earn slappy free throws, he moves to pass to covered teammates and this doesn't help. L.A. will increase accuracy at home, surely, but how sweaty are the palms if the visiting team is already up a dozen? Ben Simmons missed a jump hook so badly in Game 5 it required replay. How steady are Ivica Zubac's feet after grabbing that pass? Cognizant of his immediate expectations to drop-step and score, what happens when he swings sides?

Kawhi will happen, Norm Powell might happen, make the other Clips hold their own at home. If it comes easy to James Harden, he'll dominate.

Denver doesn't require another 43 points from Jamal Murray to win inside Los Angeles, it doesn't require outsized triple-doubles from Nikola Jokic nor heroic splashes from Dr. Westbrook. What is necessary is the energy from all angles, the way Michael Porter Jr. and Jokic and Christian Braun were eager to move into open spots on either end, playing off Aaron Gordon's pristine influence.

The Clippers need to make Denver wish they'd stayed in Colorado, forfeited the contest in advance of that inevitable Game 7.

Game 6 in Denver on Thursday at 9:30 PM Eastern on TNT

START!

RIP Rick Buckler, this was probably the only time he could ever hear himself at a Jam show.

Thanks for reading!