Cleveland wins 117-113 OT Game 5

The Cleveland Cavaliers left Detroit with a 117-113 overtime win in Game 5 on May 13 after closing regulation and overtime with the series' most disputed sequence still under review by the league. Cleveland's victory gave it a 3-2 lead over the Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals, according to NBA.com. (nba.com) The NBA's Last Two Minute Report, released May 14, said Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen did not commit a foul on Pistons forward Ausar Thompson on the final possession of regulation. (official.nba.com) Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff challenged that no-call immediately after the game. (api-hub-uat.nba.com) Crew chief Tony Brothers said in the league's pool report that Allen and Thompson were "incidental" as they pursued a loose ball, and the next-day review reached the same conclusion. Game 6 is set for Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m. ET in Cleveland, with the Cavaliers one win from advancing. ### How did Cleveland get control of a game that was still tied late? Cleveland used a 13-0 run spanning the end of the fourth quarter and the middle of overtime, and Detroit went scoreless for five minutes across that stretch, NBA.com said. (nba.com) The Cavaliers built a seven-point lead with 2:39 left in overtime on a Donovan Mitchell 3-pointer before holding off a late Pistons push. James Harden scored a team-high 30 points for Cleveland, and Max Strus added 20 points with six 3-pointers, according to the Cavaliers' official site. Cade Cunningham had 39 points and nine assists for Detroit, keeping the Pistons within two points with 25 seconds left in overtime. (official.nba.com) ### What exactly did the league say about the Jarrett Allen-Ausar Thompson play? The NBA's Last Two Minute Report dated May 14 listed the Allen-Thompson sequence as a correct non-call. The report said Allen and Thompson made "marginal contact" while both were moving toward the loose ball, clearing Allen on the play that Detroit argued should have produced free throws. (nba.com) Tony Brothers gave the same explanation in the postgame pool report on May 13. Asked why no foul was called on the final possession in regulation, Brothers said the contact was incidental and occurred while both players were going for a loose ball. (nba.com) ### What did Detroit say after the no-call? J.B. Bickerstaff said after the game that Allen "tripped him when he was going for a loose ball," according to NBA.com's game summary. Detroit's complaint centered on the final regulation possession, not the overtime play that decided the final margin. (official.nba.com) Cade Cunningham's 39-point night still gave Detroit a chance to extend the game, and the Pistons did force overtime before the Cavaliers finished the extra period stronger. The series score moved from 2-2 to 3-2 with the result. (official.nba.com) ### Why does the scheduling detail matter here? NBA.com lists Game 6 for Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m. ET in Cleveland, not May 16. The league's playoff bracket page and game preview both show Cleveland hosting the potential clincher with the Cavaliers ahead 3-2. (nba.com) The broader schedule page also lists a Game 7 in the series only if necessary. That game would follow only if Detroit wins Game 6 and levels the series. ### What comes next for Cleveland and Detroit? Friday's Game 6 in Cleveland is the next official step in the series, with the Cavaliers trying to close out the top-seeded Pistons on their home floor. (nba.com) NBA.com's preview says Cleveland enters the night one win from advancing, while Detroit needs a road win to force a Game 7. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) (api-hub-uat.nba.com)