The Cleveland Cavaliers are now one win away from the Eastern Conference finals after a dramatic 117-113 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday. James Harden delivered a playoff-best 30 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 21 as the Cavs erased a late nine-point deficit to seize a 3-2 lead in their semifinal series.
Comeback for the Ages
Trailing 103-94 with just over two minutes left in regulation, Cleveland mounted a furious rally. Evan Mobley tied the game at 103-all with a pair of free throws with 45.2 seconds remaining, forcing overtime. The Cavaliers then opened the extra period with a 13-0 run, holding Detroit scoreless for five minutes.
"That stretch right there says a lot about our progress — mental performance progress and mental toughness progress," Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson told the Associated Press.
Key Performances
Harden also contributed eight rebounds and six assists. Max Strus buried six three-pointers and finished with 20 points. Mobley added 19 points, and Jarrett Allen chipped in 16 points and 10 rebounds. Mitchell's three-pointer with 2:39 left in overtime gave the Cavaliers a seven-point cushion.
"It wasn't our best night offensively, but I think that's what speaks volumes to getting this win was we found a way," Strus said.
Pistons' Efforts
Cade Cunningham kept Detroit within striking distance, finishing with 39 points and nine assists. He trimmed the deficit to two with a jumper with 25 seconds remaining. Daniss Jenkins, starting in place of the injured Duncan Robinson, scored 19 points. Tobias Harris struggled, making just six of 19 shots for 13 points, while Jalen Duren was held to nine points and five rebounds.
Detroit led by as many as 15 points in the first half and appeared headed for victory. However, the Cavaliers' resilience paid off. Cleveland earned its first road win of the series and its first postseason victory away from home this year.
Controversial End to Regulation
Just before the end of regulation, Cleveland's Jarrett Allen and Detroit's Ausar Thompson got tangled up while chasing a loose ball, but no foul was called. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff disagreed with the no-call. "He fouled Ausar — clearly," Bickerstaff said. "He tripped him when he was going for a loose ball."
Looking Ahead
Game 6 will be played Saturday in Cleveland, where the fourth-seeded Cavaliers will try to close out the series and advance to face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. If Detroit wins, the top-seeded Pistons will host Game 7 on Monday. Detroit had previously won four straight home playoff games since nearly being eliminated by Orlando in Game 5 of the first round.
