DETROIT. (WILX) - The Cleveland Cavaliers came back late in the game to force overtime and ultimately won 117-113 over the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday night.
Pistons’ starting guard Duncan Robinson was ruled out ahead of the game with lower back soreness. Daniss Jenkins made his first career start in the playoffs in Robinson’s place and scored Detroit’s first seven points of the game.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 39 points. Jenkins added 19 points.
Detroit led 29-27 after a back-and-forth first quarter. The Pistons pushed the lead to double digits early in the second quarter with a 16-2 run and stayed in front for the rest of the half, leading 60-52 at halftime. Cunningham had 20 points in the first half.
The Cavs stuck around and tied it up at 68 midway through the third quarter before taking a 79-78 lead, Cleveland’s first of the second half, with under two minutes left in the quarter. Cleveland held an 84-80 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Detroit took a 104-93 lead in the fourth quarter with three minutes remaining, but did not score again in regulation and the Cavs tied it up again at 103-103 with 45 seconds left. Both teams came up scoreless on their final possession of regulation, and the game headed to overtime tied at 103.
Cleveland led for the entire extra period and won it 117-113. The Cavs take a 3-2 lead in the series. Game 6 is Friday in Cleveland.
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