Cleveland takes 3-2 lead over Detroit

James Harden scored 30 points on May 13 as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime, moving ahead 3-2 in their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Donovan Mitchell added 21 points, including seven in overtime, and Max Strus scored 20 as Cleveland erased a nine-point deficit in the final three minutes, according to NBA.com and a Reuters match report. Cade Cunningham finished with 39 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for Detroit at Little Caesars Arena. Cleveland closed regulation on a 9-0 run and then opened overtime by scoring nine of the first 11 points. ### How did Cleveland get out of a game it was close to losing? Cleveland trailed 103-94 with three minutes left in regulation before its late push, NBA.com said. Evan Mobley tied the game at 103 with two free throws with 45.2 seconds remaining, and the Cavaliers failed to get a shot off on their final possession of regulation before time expired, according to the Reuters report carried by GMA News. (nba.com) Overtime turned on Harden and Mitchell. Harden hit key free throws in the closing seconds, and Mitchell scored five straight points during Cleveland’s surge, including a layup after a backcourt steal by Strus, NBA.com said. The Cavaliers outscored Detroit 14-10 in overtime and finished the game on a 23-10 run. (nba.com) ### What numbers defined the game? Harden added eight rebounds and six assists to his 30 points, while Strus made six of eight 3-point attempts and Mobley finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Jarrett Allen contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland, according to the Reuters report. (nba.com) Cunningham carried Detroit with 39 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Daniss Jenkins scored 19 points and Tobias Harris had 13, but no other Pistons player reached double figures, NBA.com said. Detroit forced 16 turnovers, though Cleveland shot better from the field and from 3-point range. (gmanetwork.com) ### Where did the game swing before the finish? Detroit built a 47-32 lead in the second quarter after an 18-5 run, according to the Reuters report. Daniss Jenkins scored Detroit’s first seven points, and the Pistons later answered Cleveland’s early fourth-quarter edge with a 15-2 run to go up 100-91 with just under four minutes left. (nba.com) The fourth quarter still turned back toward Cleveland. The Cavaliers missed their first nine shots of the period before recovering, and NBA.com counted 11 lead changes and nine ties across the game. Harden called Detroit a “very, very, very crazy team defensively,” according to NBA.com. (gmanetwork.com) ### What does the 3-2 lead change in the series? NBA.com said the team that wins Game 5 of a playoff series tied 2-2 has gone on to win the series 81.7% of the time. That note provides the historical backdrop for Cleveland’s comeback, though the series remains active and Detroit has already recovered from pressure spots earlier in this postseason. (nba.com) The series has swung sharply since Detroit won the first two games. Reuters’ match recap listed the sequence as Pistons wins in Games 1 and 2, followed by Cleveland victories in Games 3, 4 and 5. ### When is the next game and where can viewers watch? (nba.com) Game 6 is scheduled for Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m. ET in Cleveland, according to NBA.com’s schedule page and the Game 5 live blog. NBA.com lists Cleveland leading the series 3-2, with a Game 7 set for Sunday, May 17, if necessary. Prime Video is carrying Friday’s game, NBA.com said. Detroit enters Game 6 facing elimination, while Cleveland will try to finish the series before a possible return trip for Game 7 on May 17. (gmanetwork.com) (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)