The Cleveland Cavaliers finally found the late-game answers that had eluded them. After squandering clutch opportunities in the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Cleveland delivered a stronger finish Saturday night, defeating the Detroit Pistons 116-109 at Rocket Arena to cut the series deficit to 2-1.
The closing moments belonged to James Harden and Max Strus. Harden, who faced criticism for late turnovers in the first two games, knocked down three crucial shots in the final minutes. Strus made the game-changing play with a steal and layup that gave the Cavaliers a 106-104 lead with 2:28 remaining. The sequence began when Strus jumped Cade Cunningham’s inbound pass near midcourt, timing the play perfectly and converting it into Cleveland’s biggest basket of the night. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson called it the winning play of the game.
Donovan Mitchell carried the Cavaliers for much of the night with 35 points and 10 rebounds, while Harden finished with 19 points. Jarrett Allen added 18 as Cleveland leaned on its top players when every possession mattered.
Cleveland also displayed the late execution that had been missing earlier in the series. Harden answered Cunningham’s basket with a step-back jumper, then restored the lead with a short floater before burying the decisive step-back 3-pointer with 25 seconds left to make it 113-109.
Cunningham still produced a major stat line, collecting 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for his second career postseason triple-double. However, his eight turnovers—including three straight after Strus’ steal—undercut an otherwise brilliant night.
The game featured 11 lead changes and remained tight throughout. Detroit led by as many as eight, but Cleveland shot 58 percent from the field and made enough plays down the stretch to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole.
Mitchell also reached 2,000 career postseason points in his 73rd game, tying for the third-fastest among active players and ninth in NBA history. For Cleveland, that milestone and the comeback win mattered less than the bigger picture: the series is alive again.
Tobias Harris scored 21 points for Detroit, which saw its five-game playoff winning streak end. The Pistons still control the matchup, but Game 3 showed that Cleveland can win the possession battle when its stars execute under pressure.
The Cavaliers will try to even the series in Game 4 on Monday night in Cleveland.
