The Cleveland Cavaliers are one game away from advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2018 after getting their first road win of the playoffs by defeating the Detroit Pistons in Game 5, 117-113 at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday night.
Game 6 is on Friday night in Cleveland.
With three minutes to go in regulation, the Cavs, who trailed by as many as 15 points in Game 5, trailed 103-94. However, they closed the game on a 9-0 run, and after two Evan Mobley free throws with 45.2 seconds left, the Cavs tied the game at 103 and sent it to overtime.
In OT, Donovan Mitchell would score seven of his 21 points, on 3/3 shooting from the field, and the comeback was complete.
The Cavs, who had five players in double figures, were led by James Harden’s 30 points to go along with eight rebounds and six assists. Max Strus added 20 points, including six threes off the bench. Mobley chipped in with 19 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks, and Jarrett Allen had a double-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.
For the Pistons, who were without Duncan Robinson(low back soreness), Cade Cunningham had a game-high 39 points with seven rebounds and nine assists, and Daniss Jenkins added 19.
Bottom Line:
The Cavs did what they needed to do in Detroit, and now Game 6 is almost a must-win for this team.
If you’re the Cavs, who are undefeated at home in these playoffs, there is no way you want to get back on a plane and head to Detroit for a Game 7.
The Cavs are finally getting the play they expected from Harden; he had a double-double, 24 points and 11 assists, and in Game 5, Harden had 30 points for the first time in this postseason. We’ll see if he can bring that same kind of play in Game 6 and Game 7, if necessary.
For the Pistons, they have been in this spot before as they overcame a 3-1 deficit in the first round against the Magic, so they know what it takes to win when you’re behind in a series. Detroit is far from finished, and the Cavs may have to play their best game of these playoffs to secure the win and advance to the conference finals.
