DETROIT — The Cleveland Cavaliers mounted a stunning second-half comeback Wednesday night, outscoring the Detroit Pistons 32-20 in the third quarter to erase a halftime deficit and steal Game 5, 117-113, at Little Caesars Arena. Cleveland now leads the Eastern Conference Semifinals three games to two, with Game 6 set for Friday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Harden and Strus Deliver the Difference
James Harden was the engine of Cleveland's offense all night, finishing with 30 points on 11-of-14 from the free-throw line to go along with 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks. The veteran guard drew 8 fouls and kept the Cavs in the game even when shots weren't falling.
The biggest shot-maker of the night, however, was Max Strus off the bench. The sharpshooting guard was virtually flawless, connecting on 6-of-8 from three-point range for 20 points to go along with 8 rebounds and a +9 plus/minus. His marksmanship proved to be the decisive X-factor Cleveland needed against Detroit's stout defense.
Evan Mobley added a quietly excellent 19-point, 8-rebound, 8-assist performance — narrowly missing a remarkable triple-double — while Donovan Mitchell chipped in 21 points, including a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Jarrett Allen rounded out the balanced attack with 16 points and 10 rebounds, converting a double-double to anchor the paint.
Cunningham Gives Everything, but Not Enough
Cade Cunningham was magnificent in defeat. The Pistons' star poured in a game-high 39 points, shooting 13-of-27 from the field and 6-of-10 from deep while adding 9 assists and 7 rebounds. Despite his heroics, Detroit couldn't overcome six turnovers from Cunningham himself and a costly 15 total turnovers as a team, which Cleveland converted into 16 points.
Daniss Jenkins gave the Pistons a lift off the bench with 19 points, and the Pistons held a 15-point lead at one point in the first half — but Cleveland's third-quarter surge ultimately proved insurmountable.
How It Happened
Detroit controlled the first half, outscoring Cleveland 31-25 in the second quarter to take a 41-39 lead into the locker room. But the Cavaliers came out of the break with urgency, flipping the script with a dominant 32-20 third quarter fueled by Strus's three-ball barrage and aggressive interior play from Allen and Mobley.
Though the Pistons battled back to within striking distance in the fourth, Cleveland's free-throw shooting — 31-of-38 on the night — kept Detroit from completing the comeback.
What's Next
The Cavaliers return home for what could be a series-clinching Game 6 on Friday, May 15, with tip-off set for 7:00 PM EDT. Cleveland enters as 60-point favorites. Detroit, the No. 1 seed in the East that knocked out the Cavaliers in consecutive playoff series over the past two years, will need a road win to keep its title hopes alive.
Cleveland leads the Eastern Conference Semifinals, 3-2.