Cavaliers take 3-2 lead in Detroit

The Cleveland Cavaliers left Detroit with a 3-2 lead after a 117-113 overtime win over the Pistons in Game 5 on May 13. James Harden scored a playoff-best 30 points, and Donovan Mitchell added 21 as Cleveland recovered from a nine-point deficit late in regulation. Cade Cunningham finished with 39 points and nine assists for Detroit, which had a chance to move within one win of the Eastern Conference finals before letting the game slip. The result sent the series back to Cleveland for Game 6 on Friday, May 15. ### How did Cleveland get out of a game it looked set to lose? Cleveland trailed 103-94 with about three minutes left in regulation before closing the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run, according to NBA.com’s live recap. The Cavaliers then made the key plays in overtime to finish the comeback and take their first road win of this postseason. (apnews.com) James Harden drove that finish for Cleveland. NBA.com said Harden posted 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Mitchell scored 21 despite what the league site described as an off shooting night. Mitchell hit a 3-pointer in overtime that pushed Cleveland ahead by seven with 2:39 left, according to Sportsnet’s game report. (nba.com) ### What did Detroit get from Cade Cunningham, and why was it not enough? Cade Cunningham kept Detroit in control for much of the night with 39 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, NBA.com said. The Pistons had led by as many as 15 points in the first half and still held a nine-point lead in the closing minutes of regulation, according to the Associated Press report. (nba.com) Detroit’s edge disappeared when Cleveland tightened the game at the foul line and in late-clock possessions. The Associated Press said the Pistons could not protect their lead after going ahead 103-94 with just over two minutes left, and NBA.com’s playoff page listed the final as Cleveland 117, Detroit 113 in overtime. (nba.com) ### Why was Harden the central figure in Game 5? James Harden’s 30 points were his best scoring output of this postseason, according to both NBA.com and the Associated Press. NBA.com’s Game 5 recap also credited him with eight rebounds and six assists, numbers that underscored how much of Cleveland’s offense ran through him as the game tightened. (usnews.com) Shaun Powell of NBA.com wrote that Harden “helped lead” the overtime win as Cleveland survived shaky shooting from Mitchell. That assessment came after a game in which Cleveland needed creation late in regulation and in overtime more than it needed efficiency. ### Where does the series stand now? The NBA’s official playoff series page shows Cleveland leading Detroit 3-2 after five games. (nba.com) The same page lists the first five results: Detroit won Games 1 and 2, Cleveland answered in Games 3 and 4, and the Cavaliers took Game 5 in overtime. The series averages on NBA.com show how narrow the matchup has been. (nba.com) Both teams are averaging 108.6 points per game through five contests, while Cunningham leads Detroit in the series at 26.6 points per game and Mitchell leads Cleveland at 30.6. ### What happens in Game 6, and when is Game 7 possible? Game 6 is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Friday, May 15, in Cleveland, according to NBA.com’s playoff page. (nba.com) Cleveland can close the series with a home win, while Detroit needs a victory to extend the matchup. The NBA page lists Game 7, if necessary, for Sunday, May 17. That puts the next two dates in the series on the calendar, with Cleveland one win away from advancing and Detroit needing to win on the road to keep playing. (nba.com)