Cavaliers rally past Pistons in Game 5, take 3-2 series lead

The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime on Wednesday night, erasing a nine-point deficit in the final three minutes to take a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series. James Harden scored 30 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 21 and Evan Mobley had 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, according to NBA.com and the Associated Press. Cleveland trailed 103-94 with 3:00 left in regulation before closing the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run to force overtime. Detroit had been in position to move one win from the conference finals behind Cade Cunningham, who finished with 39 points and nine assists in the loss, NBA.com reported. The Cavaliers then outscored the Pistons 14-10 in overtime and finished the game on a 23-10 run for their first road win of the postseason. (nba.com) ### How did Cleveland flip the game so late? Cleveland trailed by nine points with 3:00 remaining in regulation before its defense and late execution changed the game. NBA.com said the Cavaliers closed the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run, then controlled overtime to finish off the comeback. (nba.com) James Harden made a free throw with 24.4 seconds left in overtime, grabbed his own miss on the second attempt and was fouled again, NBA.com’s live recap said. Donovan Mitchell scored five straight points in overtime, including a layup after a Max Strus steal, as Cleveland pushed ahead. (nba.com) ### Which performances mattered most? James Harden led Cleveland with 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists, posting his best scoring game of the playoffs, according to the Associated Press and NBA.com. Max Strus added 20 points and made six of eight 3-point attempts, while Mobley filled the box score with 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. (nba.com) Cade Cunningham carried Detroit for long stretches with 39 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, NBA.com reported. Daniss Jenkins scored 19 points, and Tobias Harris added 13, but Cunningham was the only Piston consistently creating offense late. (apnews.com) ### What do the numbers say about the finish? The game featured 11 lead changes and nine ties, NBA.com said, reflecting how narrow the margin stayed before Cleveland’s late run. Detroit forced 16 turnovers, but Cleveland shot better from the field and from 3-point range, which helped offset the extra possessions the Pistons created. (nba.com) Basketball-Reference lists the final score as 117-113 in overtime at Little Caesars Arena on May 13. The NBA’s playoff series page shows Cleveland now leading the best-of-seven matchup 3-2 after dropping the first two games. ### What did the coaches focus on afterward? Kenny Atkinson said after the game that the Cavaliers hoped the comeback would carry into the next contest, according to NBA.com’s Game 5 takeaways. (nba.com) NBA.com also quoted Harden describing Detroit as a “very, very, very crazy team defensively,” underscoring how difficult Cleveland found the matchup even in victory. (basketball-reference.com) J.B. Bickerstaff focused on a late no-call involving Ausar Thompson, telling the Detroit Free Press that “He fouled Ausar Thompson” on the loose-ball sequence. The Pistons coach also said his team slowed its tempo late, according to postgame coverage cited in search results. (nba.com) ### What comes next in the series? Game 6 is scheduled for Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m. ET in Detroit, according to the NBA playoff series page. The same page lists Game 7, if necessary, for Sunday, May 17. The NBA’s series page shows Cleveland one win from advancing, while Detroit needs a home win Friday to extend the matchup. (freep.com) Prime Video is listed as the broadcaster for Game 6. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)