For most of the night at Little Caesars Arena, it looked like Detroit had this one wrapped up. The Pistons carried an eight-point lead into halftime, pushed their advantage out to nine points with under four minutes left in the fourth quarter, and were well on their way to reclaiming control of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Then the Cavaliers went on a 9-0 run in the final 45 seconds of regulation to force overtime, and Cleveland never looked back.
James Harden was the engine behind it all, finishing with 30 points on 11-of-14 from the free throw line, adding 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Donovan Mitchell chipped in 21 points, including 7 in overtime when it mattered most, while Max Strus came off the bench to knock down 6 three-pointers for 20 points. Evan Mobley contributed 19 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in a quietly dominant all-round display.
For Detroit, Cade Cunningham was exceptional in defeat, posting 39 points and 9 assists. But a costly four-quarter turnover barrage, including three giveaways during the Pistons’ late lead, ultimately cost them the game. The final 23-10 run by Cleveland, stretching from late regulation through overtime, sealed a historic road win, the Cavaliers’ first away victory of the entire postseason after going 0-5 on the road.
The series now shifts back to Rocket Arena in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers will look to close it out Friday night. For Detroit to survive, it must do something it has not managed once this postseason: win on the road.
