James Harden scored 30 points and Donovan Mitchell added 21, including seven in overtime, as the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers rallied to beat the Detroit Pistons 117-113 on Wednesday, taking a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The result leaves Detroit, the No. 1 seed in the East, just one defeat from elimination.
Key Performances
Max Strus contributed 20 points and eight rebounds, while Evan Mobley added 19 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists for the Cavaliers, who had lost all five of their previous road playoff games this spring. Harden also recorded eight rebounds and six assists, and Jarrett Allen chipped in with 16 points and 10 boards. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 39 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, supported by Daniss Jenkins' 19 points.
Game Dynamics
Cleveland took control early in overtime, scoring nine of the first 11 points to build a 112-105 lead. Cunningham's jumper brought Detroit within 113-111 with 25.9 seconds remaining, but the Cavaliers closed it out at the free-throw line, with Harden and Mobley combining to hit four of six foul shots in the final seconds.
In the fourth quarter, Cleveland pushed their lead to four early, but Detroit responded with a 15-2 run to take a 100-91 advantage with under four minutes left. The Cavaliers missed their first nine shots of the period before rallying late, eventually tying the game at 103-103 on Mobley's two free throws with 45.2 seconds to play. Cleveland had a chance to win in regulation but could not get a shot off before the buzzer.
Coaches and Players React
"You hope it propels us. You hope it galvanizes us. You hope we carry it forward," Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. "That was a battle-tested win against a heck of a team, on the road. I think you build mental toughness with games like this."
"It's a tough loss," Cunningham said. "Obviously wanted to protect our own court. We failed to do that. Being up 3-2 is an advantage for them. First to four wins, though. We've had our back against the wall before. At the end of the day, if we can't win a game on the road, how far are we really gonna get in the playoffs?"
Harden praised the team effort: "[Mitchell] struggled a little bit offensively, but that's why he has a team and guys that pick him up. Max came through, made some big shots. Dennis [Schroder] came in, played extremely well. So this is a team effort. Tonight was one of those nights where we found something, and I was aggressive."
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff noted defensive adjustments: "They started doubling and getting the ball out of Cade's hands. We'll find ways to fix it. We'll be better."
Series Outlook
Game 6 of the best-of-seven series is Friday night in Cleveland. A win by the Cavaliers sends them to the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks. A Detroit win sets up a Game 7 on the Pistons' home floor on Sunday.
