The Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons delivered another playoff thriller Wednesday night, with Cleveland escaping Detroit with a dramatic 117-113 overtime victory in Game 5.
For much of the fourth quarter, the Pistons appeared poised to reclaim control of the series. Behind a dominant performance from Cade Cunningham, Detroit built a late nine-point lead and had the home crowd roaring inside Little Caesars Arena. Then the Cavaliers flipped the game.
Cleveland tightened its defense, found timely offense, and forced overtime after Detroit’s attack suddenly stalled in the final minutes of regulation. Once the extra session began, the momentum belonged entirely to the visitors.
James Harden delivered one of his biggest performances of the postseason, finishing with 30 points while controlling the pace during critical stretches. Donovan Mitchell added several clutch baskets in overtime, helping the Cavaliers secure their first road win of the playoffs and a 3-2 advantage in the series.
The Pistons still had a chance to steal the game at the end of regulation, but controversy took center stage in the final seconds. During a scramble for a loose ball, contact between Cleveland center Jarrett Allen and Detroit forward Ausar Thompson sent Thompson to the floor. Detroit players and coaches immediately argued for a foul call that could have resulted in game-winning free throws.
Officials ruled the play incidental, allowing the game to continue into overtime. The decision sparked heated reactions after the final buzzer, especially from Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff and several Detroit players. The NBA later supported the officials’ ruling in its Last Two Minute Report, stating the contact was marginal and both players were making a legal play on the ball.
Despite the frustration surrounding the ending, Detroit received another star-level performance from Cunningham, who finished with 39 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. His aggressive scoring kept the Pistons in control for most of the night, but Cleveland’s experience and late execution proved decisive once the pressure intensified.
Now the series heads back to Cleveland for Game 6, where the Cavaliers have an opportunity to complete an impressive comeback after trailing earlier in the matchup. The Pistons, meanwhile, face elimination and the challenge of regrouping quickly after one of the most painful losses of their season.
