The hierarchy was respected on the night of May 6th. While Oklahoma City dominated the Lakers with championship-caliber control, Detroit had to dig deep to hold off Cleveland's comeback. A look back at two conference semifinal starts that offered valuable lessons.

OKC: A show of collective strength

The defending champions showed no signs of nerves in their opening game against the Los Angeles Lakers. With a decisive 108-90 victory, the Thunder sent a strong message: dethroning them will require more than just talent; it will require endurance.

After a close start, Oklahoma City gradually stifled the Californians thanks to an ironclad defense and relentless ball movement. Their success didn't rest on a single man, but on a trio of formidable efficiency:

1. Chet Holmgren: Dominant with a double-double (24 pts, 12 rebounds).
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The MVP controlled the tempo with 18 points.
3. Ajay Mitchell: Also scored 18 points, confirming the depth of OKC's bench.

"We're simply trying to get them out of their comfort zone," SGA succinctly summarized after the game. A winning strategy that allowed the Thunder to take a 1-0 lead.

The Lakers are without solutions

At 41, LeBron James continues to defy time (27 points), but his voice is ringing in the wilderness. Without Luka Doncic (groin injury), the Lakers posted their worst offensive total in the playoffs in three years. Despite Rui Hachimura's contribution (18 points), the absence of a second playmaker was sorely felt. For coach JJ Redick, the conclusion is clear: against the champions, inaccuracy is punished severely.

Detroit gives itself a scare, but secures the essentials

In the East, the Pistons nearly squandered a comfortable 17-point lead against the Cavaliers. In a high-stakes game, Detroit ultimately prevailed 111-101 , narrowly avoiding an upset by Cleveland.

Cade Cunningham (23 points) was the metronome of a team bolstered by the experience of Tobias Harris and the sharpshooting touch of Duncan Robinson (5 three-pointers). On the other side, the duo of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden tried everything to turn the tide, but to no avail. Having learned from their experience against Orlando in the previous round, the Pistons know they can't afford to give up: "We have to start again in the next game," warned Cunningham.

A look at the series

Match	Result	Series status
OKC vs Lakers	108 - 90	OKC leads 1-0
Detroit vs Cleveland	111 - 101	Detroit leads 1-0
San Antonio vs Minnesota	-	Minnesota leads 1-0
New York vs Philadelphia	-	New York leads 1-0

Next up: Game 2 for the Thunder and Pistons will take place this Thursday. The favorites will need to deliver to avoid giving their opponents any hope.