The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 113-117 in overtime on Wednesday to record their first win on the road in the playoffs and take a 3-2 lead in their East semifinal.
The Cavaliers had lost in their previous five outings – three in Toronto and two in Detroit – but have made Rocket Arena a fortress, winning six games.
Cleveland signs an epic comeback
This Wednesday, everything pointed to another loss away from Cleveland for the Cavaliers when, with three minutes left, the Detroit Pistons pulled within 103-94 on a three-pointer by Tobias Harris.
But with a final 0-9 run – with seven points from Evan Mobley – the Cavaliers were able to tie the game and force overtime.
Donovan Mitchell had the last possession to win at the buzzer, but Ausar Thompson snatched the ball from him as he was about to shoot.
The end was controversial, as Jarrett Allen tripped Thompson in an action that pointed to a clear foul.
But the referees did not signal the infraction or send the Detroit player to the free throw line.
Harden and Mitchell crush Detroit
James Harden and the Cavaliers took over in overtime, which they dominated from the first to the last possession.
“Donovan was a little tired, you know, so I saw my opportunity to go out there, be aggressive and generate plays, and that’s what I did.”
Harden said in a court-side statement after signing the victory.
‘La Barba’ finished the game with 30 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
Donovan Mitchell added 21 points for the Cavaliers and Max Strus another 20.
Evan Mobley signed 19 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, while Jarrett Allen 16 points and 10 rebounds.
For the Pistons, who were up by 15 points before halftime, Cade Cunningham had 39 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists.
To Daniss Jenkins’ 19 points and Tobias Harris’ 13.
Cleveland seeks to clinch series and meet Knicks
That's what I did
James Harden
The semifinal now returns to Cleveland for a potentially decisive Game 6 this Friday.
“They’re a very, very, very, very intense team defensively, and we’ve seen what they’ve done.”
“They’ve come back from 3-1 (to the Orlando Magic). So from the start of the game we have to make sure our mentality is right,” Harden said.
The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers are vying for a spot in the East finals, where the New York Knicks have been awaiting them since last Sunday.
With information from EFE
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