Cavaliers take 3-2 series lead over Pistons

The Cleveland Cavaliers moved within one win of the Eastern Conference finals after beating the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime in Game 5 on Wednesday, according to the NBA’s official playoff schedule and game coverage. The result gave Cleveland a 3-2 lead in the second-round series after Detroit had opened with two home wins. James Harden led the Cavaliers with 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists, NBA.com said in its postgame takeaways. Game 6 is scheduled for Friday, May 15, in Cleveland. ### How did Cleveland turn Game 5 after trailing late? Detroit led by nine points with just under three minutes left in regulation before Cleveland closed the gap and forced overtime, according to NBA.com’s Game 5 coverage. The Cavaliers then made the decisive plays in the extra period to finish off their first road win of the 2026 playoffs. (nba.com) The final margin underscored how narrow the swing was. NBA.com’s official schedule page lists the score as Cavaliers 117, Pistons 113 in overtime, a result that flipped home-court pressure back onto Detroit after the Pistons had taken Games 1 and 2. ### Who carried the Cavaliers in the biggest moments? (nba.com) James Harden delivered Cleveland’s clearest late-game production, finishing with 30 points while also getting to the free-throw line repeatedly, NBA.com reported. The league’s postgame analysis said Harden went 11-for-14 on free throws and grabbed an offensive rebound after a missed free throw in overtime, helping burn additional time off the clock. (nba.com) Donovan Mitchell had a less efficient shooting night than in Game 4, when he had erupted in the second half, but Cleveland still won because Harden supplied the offense Mitchell did not, according to NBA.com. The same report said Mitchell missed seven of eight 3-point attempts and was blocked by Ausar Thompson on Cleveland’s final play of regulation. (nba.com) ### What changed in the series after Detroit’s fast start? The series score is now 3-2 Cleveland after the Cavaliers dropped the first two games and then won three straight, the NBA’s official playoff page shows. Detroit won Game 1 by 10 points and Game 2 by 10 points before Cleveland answered with victories of 116-109, 112-103 and 117-113 in overtime. (nba.com) Kenny Atkinson said the Game 5 comeback could help carry Cleveland forward. “You hope it propels us,” the Cavaliers coach said, according to NBA.com. “You hope it galvanizes us. You hope we carry it forward.” ### What does Detroit need to do now? Detroit must win Game 6 to extend the series, because another loss would end its season, the NBA playoff schedule shows. (nba.com) The Pistons had been in position to seize control at home in Game 5 before Cleveland erased the late deficit. The stakes beyond this round are already set on the bracket. (nba.com) NBA.com’s playoff page says the winner of Cavaliers-Pistons will face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. ### When and where is Game 6? Game 6 is scheduled for Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m. ET in Cleveland, according to the NBA’s official 2026 playoff schedule. (nba.com) The game is listed for Prime Video, and a Cleveland win would send the Cavaliers into the conference finals. If Detroit wins, Game 7 would be Sunday, May 17, in Detroit.