Cavaliers Storm Back Late to Edge Pistons in Overtime, Move Within One Win of East Finals.

DETROIT — Cleveland found itself on the ropes late Wednesday night, trailing by nine points with just over two minutes remaining. Then the Cavaliers flipped the game completely. Behind a dominant fourth-quarter comeback and a huge overtime performance from James Harden, the Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, taking a 3-2 lead in the series. Harden delivered 30 points — his highest scoring output of the postseason — while Donovan Mitchell added 21 points, including a clutch three-pointer in overtime that helped Cleveland seize control after erasing Detroit’s late advantage. The Pistons appeared headed for a pivotal road victory after building a 103-94 lead in the final minutes of regulation. But Cleveland responded with relentless defensive pressure and timely shot-making, closing regulation on a 9-0 surge. Evan Mobley tied the game at 103 with a pair of free throws with 45.2 seconds remaining. A chaotic final possession in regulation nearly gave Detroit the win, but no foul was called after Jarrett Allen and Ausar Thompson collided while battling for a loose ball near the buzzer. Cleveland carried the momentum into overtime, extending its run to 13 unanswered points while holding Detroit scoreless for nearly five minutes spanning the fourth quarter and OT. Mitchell’s three-pointer midway through overtime stretched the Cavaliers’ lead to seven and silenced the crowd at Little Caesars Arena.

Cade Cunningham did everything possible to keep Detroit alive, finishing with 39 points and nine assists. He cut the deficit to two with a jumper in the final half-minute, but Harden responded by converting key free throws and securing his own missed attempt to help close out the game. Max Strus knocked down six three-pointers and scored 20 points for Cleveland, while Mobley added 19 points. Allen contributed a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Detroit received an unexpected boost from Daniss Jenkins, who started in place of the injured Duncan Robinson and scored 19 points. Tobias Harris struggled offensively, shooting 6-for-19 from the field, and center Jalen Duren was limited to nine points and five rebounds. The Cavaliers now return home for Game 6 on Friday with a chance to clinch the series and advance to the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks. Detroit will need a win on the road to force a decisive Game 7 back at home.