The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the brink of the Eastern Conference Finals after holding off the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime, taking a 3-2 lead in their semi-final series. James Harden led the charge with 30 points as Cleveland battled back from a 15-point deficit to secure a crucial road win and move within one victory of closing out the series.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers moved to within one win of the Eastern Conference Finals after grinding out a 117-113 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons today.
Powered by a 30-point performance from James Harden, Cleveland secured its first road win of the playoffs to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven semi-final series.
The Cavaliers will now have the chance to close out the series at home in Game 6 on Friday, with the New York Knicks already waiting in the Eastern Conference Finals.
“Great time to have a first road win,” Harden said after Cleveland claimed its third straight victory of the series.
The Cavaliers were forced to dig deep after trailing by as many as 15 points in the opening half, with Detroit star Cade Cunningham producing a dominant 39-point display.
Cleveland fought back in the third quarter, but Detroit looked to have regained control late in regulation after a 12-0 run opened up a nine-point lead with under four minutes remaining.
Once again, the Cavaliers answered. Evan Mobley sparked the comeback with a crucial dunk before knocking down two free throws to level the scores with 45.2 seconds left in regulation. The surge became part of a decisive 13-0 run stretching into overtime, where Cleveland finally took control.
Cunningham hit a late jumper to cut the margin back to two points with 25.9 seconds remaining in overtime, but the Pistons could not get any closer.
Donovan Mitchell added 21 points for Cleveland, while Max Strus provided a valuable spark off the bench with 20 points. Jarrett Allen also delivered a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson praised Harden’s composure in the clutch, saying it was exactly why the organisation targeted the veteran guard earlier this year.
“Big reason we got him, that’s what we expected,” Atkinson said.
“He adds a maturity and a poise, calmness to our group, which we needed.”
Cunningham also finished with nine assists and seven rebounds, while Daniss Jenkins added 19 points for Detroit, which now faces elimination heading back to Cleveland.
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The Pistons are on the brink. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP
The Pistons are on the brink. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
Harden warned that the Cavaliers cannot afford to relax against a Pistons side that already fought back from a 3-1 deficit against the Orlando Magic in the opening round.
“Very, very crazy team defensively,” Harden said.
“We’ve seen what they’ve done. They’ve come back from 3-1, so from the beginning of the game we’ve got to make sure our mindset is right and we do the small things to finish the series.”
Detroit coach J. B. Bickerstaff insisted his side would continue to fight despite falling behind in the series.
“We’re not going to go down without a fight,” Bickerstaff said.
“That’s just who we are. We’ve been in this position before, and we were able to work our way through it.
“I expect our guys to be ready mentally and to go out and compete at a high level and bring this thing back (to Detroit).”
Bickerstaff was also frustrated by the no-call on the final play of regulation, believing Allen fouled Ausar Thompson during the closing possession.
“He fouled Ausar. It’s clear,” Bickerstaff said. “End of game situation, you know, that’s tough.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to close-out the series on Saturday with the Pistons aiming to make this a seven-game series.