Cleveland Cavaliers beat Detroit Pistons to take 3-2 lead in East Semis

James Harden dropped 30 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from a 15-point deficit to stun the Detroit Pistons in overtime.

Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images North America/AFP

Playoff intensity reached its boiling point in the Motor City on Wednesday night. In a game defined by wild momentum swings, the Cleveland Cavaliers executed a clinical late-game heist to defeat the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime, securing a pivotal 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The narrative for much of the night belonged to Detroit. The top-seeded Pistons, fueled by a sensational Cade Cunningham (39 points, 9 assists), built a 15-point lead and seemed to have the game firmly in hand with a nine-point cushion in the final minutes of regulation. However, Cleveland’s veteran core refused to blink, closing the fourth quarter with a stunning 13-0 run that silenced the home crowd and forced the extra period.

James Harden looked like his MVP self, anchoring the Cavs with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. His biggest contribution came not from a shot, but from a hustle play: with 24 seconds left in overtime and Cleveland clinging to a one-possession lead, Harden missed a free throw but fought through the paint to grab his own offensive rebound. The play exhausted Detroit’s spirit and allowed Cleveland to ice the game at the line.

Donovan Mitchell added 21 points, including a cold-blooded triple in overtime that gave Cleveland the lead for good. The Cavs also received a massive boost from Max Strus, who provided 20 points off the bench with six three-pointers. On the interior, the duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen (16 points, 10 rebounds) dominated the glass during the most physical stretches of the game.

For Detroit, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow. Despite Cunningham’s brilliance, the supporting cast faltered when it mattered most. Tobias Harris struggled to a mere 13 points, leaving the Pistons' offense stagnant during Cleveland's late-game surges.

The series now shifts back to Cleveland for Game 6 on Friday. The Cavaliers have their first chance to clinch the series at home, while the Pistons face a must-win situation to force a potential Game 7 back in Detroit.