Cavaliers win in OT to take 3-2 lead over No. 1 Pistons in East semi-finals

The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime on Wednesday, May 14, to take a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference semi-finals series. Cleveland erased a nine-point deficit in the final four minutes of regulation and finished the job in OT. The game was played in Detroit and marked the Cavaliers’ first road playoff win of this postseason. Game 6 is Friday night in Cleveland, where the hosts can clinch a spot in the conference finals.

James Harden led Cleveland with 30 points to go with eight rebounds and six assists. Donovan Mitchell added 21 points, including seven in overtime, while Max Strus had 20 points and eight rebounds. Evan Mobley posted 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and Jarrett Allen supplied 16 points and 10 boards. Cade Cunningham paced the No. 1 seed Pistons with 39 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Daniss Jenkins scored 19.

Detroit now sits one defeat from elimination and will face that scenario for the fourth time this postseason. A Cavaliers win on Friday would send Cleveland to the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks. A Pistons victory would force a decisive Game 7 on Sunday in Detroit.

Cleveland seized control early in overtime, scoring nine of the first 11 points to build a 112-105 cushion. Cunningham’s jumper cut the gap to 113-111 with 25.9 seconds left, but the Cavaliers closed it out at the free-throw line as Harden and Mobley combined to make four of six in the closing seconds.

The fourth quarter swung wildly. Cleveland moved in front early in the period, but Detroit answered with a 15-2 run to surge ahead 100-91 with just under four minutes remaining. The Cavaliers had missed their first nine shots of the quarter before rallying late, and Mobley’s two free throws tied it at 103-103 with 45.2 seconds to play. Cleveland had a chance to win at the end of regulation but failed to get a shot off before the buzzer.

Cleveland’s stars and depth step up

Mitchell delivers late as others carry the load

Mitchell found his rhythm in overtime after a quieter offensive night, and his seven points in the extra period proved pivotal. Harden said the performance reflected a collective approach, noting how different teammates lifted stretches of the offense. “Max Strus came through, made some big shots. Dennis Schroder came in, played extremely well,” Harden said.

Atkinson lauds ‘battle-tested’ road win

Head coach Kenny Atkinson framed the result as a character check for a group that had dropped its previous five road playoff games this spring. “You hope it galvanizes us. That was a battle-tested win against a heck of a team, on the road,” Atkinson said. The Cavaliers leaned on balanced scoring, late-game execution and free throws to finally secure a postseason win away from home.

Cunningham shines as Detroit regroups

Pistons seek answers against late doubles

Cunningham’s 39 kept Detroit in striking distance through the closing minutes, but Cleveland’s late traps disrupted the Pistons’ primary actions. “They started doubling and getting the ball out of Cade’s hands. We’ll find ways to fix it. We’ll be better,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. Cunningham acknowledged the challenge ahead, emphasizing Detroit’s need to respond on the road after dropping a home game in a tight series.

What’s next in the series

Game 6 is Friday night in Cleveland. A win sends the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference finals against the Knicks, while a Detroit win forces Game 7 back in Detroit on Sunday.