Cavaliers win Game 5 over Pistons, lead 3-2

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of their playoff series on May 14, 2026, to take a 3-2 lead after a late comeback and overtime. Cleveland overcame a cold shooting stretch from key scorers and relied on depth and defense to turn the game in the fourth quarter and extra period. The result puts the Cavaliers one win away from advancing, with Game 6 scheduled for Friday.

James Harden led Cleveland’s offense with 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists, steadying the group when the half-court sets stalled. Max Strus delivered timely shooting and activity on the glass, finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds while helping set the tone defensively on the perimeter. The Cavaliers’ willingness to scrap for second-chance opportunities and defend without fouling kept them close long enough to surge late.

Evan Mobley’s all-around impact proved decisive. He posted 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and scored seven points in the closing minutes of regulation to help erase a nine-point deficit. Donovan Mitchell struggled from the field for much of the night and committed a late turnover, but he responded in overtime with seven points to tilt the game Cleveland’s way. Jarrett Allen added 16 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring the paint and providing crucial rim protection.

Strus’ first-half three-point burst prevented the game from getting away early, and his effort defensively wore on Detroit’s creators. Cleveland’s frontcourt pairing of Mobley and Allen then controlled the lane down the stretch, limiting clean looks and finishing possessions on the defensive glass.

Harden and Strus steady Cleveland’s offense

Harden’s shot-making keeps the Cavs afloat

Harden’s scoring runs bridged difficult stretches for the Cavaliers, who have historically been vulnerable to droughts when primary options misfire. His shot-making and late-clock creation curbed those lulls in Game 5, and his eight rebounds helped initiate transition chances that changed the tempo.

Strus complemented that rhythm with pace and spacing. His perimeter burst in the first half kept the margin manageable, and he continued to hit key shots after the break while competing defensively at the point of attack. Beyond the 20 points and eight boards, his physicality helped disrupt Detroit’s guards throughout the night.

Frontcourt control and overtime composure

Mobley, Mitchell and Allen close it out

Mobley’s late scoring surge, combined with his playmaking from the elbows and high post, shifted momentum in Cleveland’s favor. Mitchell shook off an uneven regulation to deliver seven overtime points, a response that defined the extra period. Allen’s efficient finishing and rim protection rounded out a balanced effort, underpinning the defense that set up the comeback.

Cleveland also leaned on role players to navigate choppy minutes. Wing size remained valuable, and the rotation held up despite minimal scoring from some bench pieces. A brief second-quarter dust-up involving Jaylon Tyson and Detroit’s frontcourt did not alter the Cavaliers’ approach, as they settled defensively and won key hustle sequences late.

With a 3-2 edge, the Cavaliers will look to carry their defensive intensity and late-game execution into Game 6 on Friday, while the Pistons aim to extend the series and force a decider.