Cavaliers take 3‑2 series lead May 13

The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime on May 13 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, taking a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Cleveland trailed 103-94 with three minutes left in regulation, then closed the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run to force overtime. The Cavaliers outscored Detroit 14-10 in the extra period and finished the game on a 23-10 run, according to NBA.com. James Harden led Cleveland with 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 43:05, while Max Strus added 20 points and hit 6 of 8 from 3-point range. Evan Mobley had 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and Donovan Mitchell scored 21 points for the Cavaliers. Cade Cunningham scored 39 points with seven rebounds and nine assists for Detroit in 48:06. (nba.com) ### How did Cleveland get out of a nine-point hole that late? Cleveland trailed 103-94 with 3:00 remaining in regulation before its comeback began. NBA.com said the Cavaliers closed regulation on a 9-0 run, then carried that surge into overtime to secure their first road win of the postseason. (nba.com) James Harden helped decide the closing possessions in overtime. NBA.com said Harden made a free throw with 24.4 seconds left, grabbed his own rebound after missing the second attempt, then drew another foul and made one of two for a 115-111 lead. ### Which Cavaliers numbers mattered most in Game 5? (nba.com) Harden’s 30 points were the game-high total for Cleveland, but the supporting numbers were spread across the lineup. Max Strus shot 75% from the field and from 3-point range, finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Mobley posted 19 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three blocks. Jarrett Allen added 16 points and 10 rebounds. (nba.com) The Cavaliers shot 45.0% from the field and 40.0% from 3-point range, compared with Detroit’s 44.2% overall and 33.3% from deep. Detroit forced 16 Cleveland turnovers, but NBA.com said Cleveland’s shooting edge and late execution decided the game. ### What did Detroit get from Cade Cunningham and the rest of its rotation? Cade Cunningham finished with 39 points, six made 3-pointers and nine assists in 48:06. (nba.com) Daniss Jenkins scored 19 points, Tobias Harris had 13, and Paul Reed added 10 off the bench. No other Piston reached double figures. Detroit also got 10 steals and 10 blocks as a team, according to the official scorer’s report. (nba.com) But six Cunningham turnovers and the team’s 10-for-33 shooting from 3-point range left little margin once Cleveland’s rally started. ### What did Harden say after the comeback? James Harden called Detroit “a very, very, very crazy team defensively” after the game, according to NBA.com. (nba.com) He added, “At the beginning of (Game 6), we’ve got to make sure our mindset is right.” NBA.com also noted the broader playoff context around the result. (nba.com) The outlet said the team that wins Game 5 of a series tied 2-2 has gone on to win the series 81.7% of the time. ### When and where does the series resume? Friday is the next date on the series schedule. (nba.com) NBA.com said the teams will reconvene for Game 6 at 7 p.m. ET, with Cleveland holding a 3-2 edge over Detroit after five games.