Cavaliers edge Pistons in OT, take 3-2 East semifinal lead

The Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, to grab a 3-2 advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Cleveland rallied on the road in Game 5, overcoming a late deficit and closing the extra period at the foul line. The result snapped the Cavaliers’ five-game playoff road skid and moved them within one win of the conference finals.

James Harden paced Cleveland with 30 points, adding eight rebounds and six assists. Donovan Mitchell finished with 21 points and scored seven in overtime, while Max Strus delivered 20 points and eight rebounds. Evan Mobley nearly posted a triple-double with 19 points, eight boards and eight assists, and Jarrett Allen supplied 16 points and 10 rebounds to steady the frontcourt.

Detroit leaned on Cade Cunningham, who produced 39 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while Daniss Jenkins added 19 points. The Pistons controlled long stretches, including a 60-52 halftime lead built on defensive pressure that turned Cleveland’s 10 first-half turnovers into 20 points. The Cavaliers flipped momentum in the third quarter by tightening up ball security, limiting themselves to two turnovers and edging ahead 84-80 entering the fourth.

The closing period swung wildly. Cleveland pushed the margin early, but Detroit answered with a 15-2 run to go up 100-91. The Cavaliers missed their first nine shots of the quarter before rallying to tie the game at 103 on Mobley’s free throws with 45.2 seconds left. Cleveland had a final chance to win in regulation but failed to get a shot off before the buzzer.

Overtime breakthrough and series stakes

Fast start in OT and clutch free throws

Cleveland seized control early in overtime, scoring nine of the first 11 points to build a 112-105 cushion. Cunningham’s jumper trimmed the margin to 113-111 with 25.9 seconds remaining, but the Cavaliers held steady at the stripe. Harden and Mobley combined to make four of six free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.

The victory gives the Cavaliers a 3-2 series lead heading into Game 6 on Friday in Cleveland, where they can clinch a place in the Eastern Conference finals against the Knicks. A Detroit win would force a decisive Game 7 on Sunday on the Pistons’ home floor.

Pistons’ push and adjustments ahead

Cunningham’s big night, Robinson sidelined

Detroit started fast behind Jenkins, who scored the team’s first seven points for a 7-2 edge, and the hosts later surged with an 18-5 second-quarter run to go up 47-32. The Pistons were without starting guard Duncan Robinson due to lower back soreness but still generated enough offense to build multiple cushions before Cleveland’s late response.

Coaches on both sides pointed to execution under pressure as the separator. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said the group believes the breakthrough road win can galvanize their playoff run, while Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff noted Cleveland’s late doubles on Cunningham and said Detroit will look for counters as the series shifts.

Game 6 is Friday in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers can advance with a win and the Pistons must extend their season to return home for a potential Game 7 on Sunday.