Cavaliers Top Pistons in OT for First Road Playoff Win
Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 5 2026
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a pivotal 117-113 overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, to take a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series. This hard-fought win at Little Caesars Arena marked Cleveland’s first road victory of the NBA Playoffs this season. James Harden led the charge for the fourth-seeded Cavaliers with a playoff-best 30 points, while adding eight rebounds and six assists to his stat line.
Cleveland managed to overcome a 15-point first-half deficit and a late nine-point gap in regulation to stun the top-seeded Pistons. The victory puts the Cavaliers just one win away from a trip to the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks.
The game appeared to be slipping away from Cleveland as Detroit held a 103-94 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. However, the Cavaliers responded with a massive 13-0 run to fight back into contention. Evan Mobley delivered a clutch performance by sinking two free throws with 45.2 seconds left to tie the game at 103-all and force the extra period.
Mobley finished the night with 19 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Cleveland’s defense proved to be the difference maker in the closing stages. They held the Pistons scoreless for a critical five-minute stretch that spanned from the end of regulation into the middle of overtime.
Donovan Mitchell contributed 21 points and hit a decisive three-pointer with 2:39 left in overtime to extend the Cleveland lead to seven. Despite the loss, Cade Cunningham was sensational for Detroit, scoring a game-high 39 points and dishing out nine assists.
Cunningham’s late jumper pulled the Pistons within two points with only 25 seconds remaining in overtime. Harden then sealed the win by making key free throws and grabbing a critical offensive rebound on a missed second attempt. Max Strus also played a vital role for the winners, scoring 20 points behind six successful three-pointers.
The series now shifts back to Cleveland for Game 6 on Friday night. The Cavaliers will have their first opportunity to clinch the series on their home court at Rocket Arena. If the Pistons manage to win on the road, they will host a decisive Game 7 on Sunday back in Detroit.
Cleveland’s veteran presence was evident throughout the comeback. They successfully neutralized Detroit’s home-court advantage for the first time in the series. The Pistons had previously won four consecutive home games before this defeat. The stage is now set for a high-stakes encounter as Cleveland looks to capitalize on their newfound momentum.
