Cavaliers Overcome Deficit to Take 3-2 Lead in NBA Playoff Semifinals

Cleveland Cavaliers Defeat Detroit Pistons 117-113 in Overtime

The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Detroit Pistons with a 117-113 victory in Game 5 on Wednesday. James Harden led the Cavaliers with 30 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 21 points, including seven in overtime.

Max Strus contributed 20 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who snapped a five-game road playoff losing streak. Evan Mobley added 19 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. The Pistons were led by Cade Cunningham’s 39 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

The game was tied at 105-105 with 25.9 seconds remaining before the Cavaliers took control in overtime. Harden and Mobley combined to hit four of six foul shots in the final seconds to seal the win. The Pistons’ Daniss Jenkins added 19 points for the team.

Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson expressed hope that the victory would propel his team forward, while Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff acknowledged that his team had failed to protect their home court. Cunningham noted that being up 3-2 in the series was an advantage for the Cavaliers.

The game saw a back-and-forth battle throughout, with four ties and six lead changes in the first quarter alone. The Pistons seized control early in the second quarter but were eventually outscored by Cleveland in the third quarter. The Cavaliers took better care of the ball in the fourth quarter to close the deficit and take an 84-80 lead into overtime.

The Pistons played without starting guard Duncan Robinson, who was sidelined with lower back soreness. Game 6 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Friday in Cleveland.

Source: Al Jazeera