CLEVELAND Cavaliers erased a late deficit before outlasting the Detroit Pistons in overtime, 117-113, in Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) in Detroit, Michigan.
James Harden delivered his best playoff performance of the postseason with 30 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 21 as Cleveland grabbed a 3-2 advantage in their best-of-seven series.
Detroit appeared headed for victory after building a 103-94 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But the Cavaliers responded with a furious comeback, capped by Evan Mobley’s free throws that tied the game at 103-all with 45.2 seconds left.
The momentum carried into overtime as Cleveland unleashed a decisive 13-0 run while holding Detroit scoreless for nearly five minutes stretching from regulation into the extra period.
Mitchell knocked down a three-pointer with 2:39 remaining in overtime to push the Cavaliers ahead by seven. Cade Cunningham tried to keep the Pistons alive after cutting the deficit to two, but two free throws by Harden sealed the win for Cleveland.
Max Strus provided outside shooting for the Cavaliers with six three-pointers and 20 points. Mobley added 19 markers, while Jarrett Allen contributed 16 points and nine rebounds.
The Cavaliers now head home for Game 6 on Friday (Saturday in the Philippines) with a chance to close out the series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks.
Cunningham led the Pistons with 39 points and nine assists, while Daniss Jenkins and Tobias Harris contributed 19 and 13 markers, respectively, in the defeat.
The Pistons controlled much of the game and even stretched their lead to 15 in the second quarter after opening the period with eight straight made shots.
Cunningham also knocked down a playoff career-high six three-pointers, and a late basket by Jenkins completed a 10-0 Detroit run that seemed enough to force a win before Cleveland’s dramatic comeback./PN
