NBA playoffs winners, losers: Pistons, Thunder seize control with Game 2 victories

Cunningham has eclipsed 20 points in each of his 15 playoff games so far, only trailing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27), LeBron James (19) and Anthony Davis (16) for the most consecutive 20-point games to start his playoff career. On Thursday, his latest outburst gave the Pistons a 2-0 lead.

Ajay Mitchell, guard, Oklahoma City Thunder

As Jalen Williams continues to sit after suffering a left hamstring injury in Game 2 of Oklahoma City's first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, the second-year guard Mitchell has stepped up in a major way.

Mitchell put up 20 points (7-of-12 FG) and six assists, the second time in the last three games that he has scored at least 20. Even on a night that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was relatively quiet for his standards, Mitchell once again showed up in Williams' absence.

Daniss Jenkins, guard, Detroit Pistons

Jenkins has quickly become the NBA's unlikeliest playoff hero with his third consecutive game of scoring in double figures. The rookie added 14 points (6-of-14 FG), six rebounds and four assists in Thursday's win and even knocked down a buzzer-beater to end the third quarter, the third end-of-quarter three-pointer the Cavaliers have allowed in the two games so far.

Losers

James Harden's turnover woes

When Harden was traded to the Cavaliers earlier this season, he was always going to be pivotal to how far they could go in the playoffs. He has wasted no time providing that answer.

While he has struggled shooting during the playoffs, Harden's ball handling has been atrocious. Thursday was the eighth time in Cleveland's nine playoff games that he has committed at least four turnovers.

With the Cavaliers trailing by six in the closing seconds, Harden lost the ball to Ausar Thompson, and they never scored again as Detroit closed the game out. That midseason trade is not looking so good now with Cleveland facing an 0-2 deficit.

Too many turnovers from Lakers

The Lakers hung around in Game 1 of the series, but they ultimately lacked the offensive firepower in the second half and committed 18 turnovers. They did not learn their lesson on Thursday.

The Lakers committed 20 more giveaways in Game 2, which proved even more costly on a night they played well enough offensively (50%) to win the game. However, it is difficult to win when you do not take care of the ball, and the Lakers let another one slip away in Oklahoma City.

Many fans were quick to point to the poor officiating throughout the game, but in the end, the Lakers are simply not on the same level as this Thunder team. The rash of turnovers only makes it even harder on them.