Cleveland takes 3-2 series lead with Game 5 win over Detroit

The Cleveland Cavaliers left Detroit with the series lead after a game that turned in the final three minutes. Cleveland beat the Pistons 117-113 in overtime on Wednesday, May 13, in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, moving ahead 3-2 in the best-of-seven matchup. NBA.com’s live recap said Cleveland trailed 103-94 with three minutes left in regulation before closing on a 9-0 run to force overtime. The Cavaliers then outscored Detroit 14-10 in the extra period to put themselves one win from advancing. ### How did Cleveland flip a game it was close to losing? Cleveland was down nine points with three minutes remaining before the comeback began. NBA.com’s live blog said the Cavaliers closed regulation on a 9-0 run, then finished the night on a 23-10 surge across the end of the fourth quarter and overtime. Detroit had been in front 103-94 before that stretch. (cdn-uat.nba.com) The 117-113 final came after overtime at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Fox Sports’ box score showed Cleveland scoring 14 points in overtime to Detroit’s 10 after the teams were tied at the end of regulation. ### Who produced the numbers that mattered most? James Harden scored 30 points with eight rebounds and six assists for Cleveland, according to NBA.com’s game recap and live blog. (cdn-uat.nba.com) NBA.com identified Harden as Cleveland’s leading scorer in the win. Cade Cunningham finished with 39 points and nine assists for Detroit, but Fox Sports said that output was not enough to prevent the loss. (foxsports.com) The same box score listed the final margin at four points after overtime. ### What does the 3-2 score mean for the bracket? (cdn-uat.nba.com) The series now stands 3-2 in Cleveland’s favor after Detroit had entered Game 5 with the matchup tied. NBA.com’s recap and the official game recap both said the Cavaliers took the lead in the series with the road win. (foxsports.com) ESPN’s schedule page listed the Cavaliers-Pistons matchup as an Eastern Conference semifinal series, with Game 5 played on Wednesday, May 13. The result leaves Cleveland needing one more win to move on from the second round. That last point is an inference from the best-of-seven format and the confirmed 3-2 series score. ### Why was the road result notable? Detroit hosted Game 5 at Little Caesars Arena after splitting the opening four games of the series. (nba.com) NBA.com’s live update described the result as a “crucial Game 5 victory on the road,” and the official recap said Cleveland “take[d] a 3-2 series lead” with the overtime win. (espn.com) The road win also reversed the immediate direction of the series. ESPN’s team schedule page for Cleveland showed the Cavaliers had lost earlier games in Detroit during this postseason matchup before winning Game 5 there on May 13. ### When is Game 6, and where is the series going next? Friday, May 15, is the next scheduled date on ESPN’s NBA schedule for Detroit at Cleveland in Game 6. (nba.com) ESPN listed that game under the Eastern Conference semifinals, with tickets posted for Cleveland’s home floor. Cleveland will return home with a chance to close the series, while Detroit will need a road win to force another game. (espn.com) ESPN’s schedule page showed the next step in the series calendar, and NBA.com’s recap confirmed Cleveland enters it with the 3-2 edge. (espn.com)