James Harden scored a playoff-high 30 points and Donovan Mitchell had 21 to help the Cleveland Cavaliers come back from a nine-point deficit late in regulation and beat the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The Pistons scored 15 points in the first half and led 103-94 with two minutes remaining. The Cavs rallied back to tie the game at 103-all on Evan Mobley’s free throw with 45.2 seconds left.
Cleveland led 13-0 and held Detroit scoreless for five minutes from the late fourth quarter to mid-overtime. The Cavs took a seven-point lead with 2:39 left in overtime on Mitchell’s 3-pointer.
Cade Cunningham, who recorded 39 points and 9 assists, made a jumper with 25 seconds left in the game to pull the Pistons within 2 points.
Harden made one free throw on the ensuing possession and rebounded a missed second attempt. He hit another free throw to seal the win.
Game 6 is Friday night in Cleveland, where the fourth-seeded Cavs will get the first of two opportunities to face the New York Knicks in the East finals.
If the top-seeded Pistons win, they will host Game 7 on Sunday.
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