Cavaliers Pistons Rally In Overtime To Take 3-2 Lead In East Semifinals

James Harden delivered a playoff-high 30 points and Donovan Mitchell added 21 as the Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime. Cleveland overturned a late nine-point deficit and moved 3-2 ahead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series on Wednesday night.

The result also marked Cleveland’s first away victory of this series and the team’s first road win of this postseason. Detroit had built a strong home record, with four straight wins since Orlando forced a decisive situation in Game 5 of the first round.

Detroit controlled the early stages, moving 15 points clear during the first half and later leading 103-94 with just over two minutes left in regulation. Cleveland stayed in touch despite the deficit and set up a tense finish against the top-seeded Pistons.

Evan Mobley brought Cleveland level at 103-103 with two free throws and 45.2 seconds remaining. That capped the start of a 13-0 Cavaliers surge that stretched from late in the fourth quarter to midway through overtime, during which Detroit did not score for five minutes.

Mitchell’s 3-pointer in overtime pushed Cleveland ahead 115-108 with 2:39 remaining. Cade Cunningham, who finished with 39 points and nine assists, reduced the gap to two with a jumper at 25 seconds, but Harden’s late free throws and rebound closed out the contest.

Game 6 takes place on Friday night in Cleveland, where the fourth-seeded Cavaliers receive two chances to clinch a place against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. If Detroit responds with a win, the Pistons will host Game 7 on Sunday.