James Harden scored 30 points and Donovan Mitchell added 21, including seven in overtime, as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied to beat the Detroit Pistons 117-113 and take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Max Strus had 20 points and eight rebounds, Evan Mobley added 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and Jarrett Allen contributed 16 points and 10 boards for the Cavaliers, who snapped a five-game road playoff losing streak.

“You hope it propels us. You hope it galvanises us. You hope we carry it forward,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said.

Cade Cunningham finished with 39 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Daniss Jenkins added 19 points for the Pistons. “It’s a tough loss. Obviously wanted to protect our own court. We failed to do that. Being up 3-2 is an advantage for them,” Cunningham said.

Cleveland took control early in overtime, scoring nine of the first 11 points to build a 112-105 lead. Cunningham’s jump shot brought Detroit within 113-111, but the Cavaliers closed it out at the free-throw line.

Game 6 is Friday in Cleveland. A Cavaliers win sends them to the Eastern Conference finals against the Knicks. A Pistons win forces a Game 7 on Sunday in Detroit.

Source: www.aljazeera.com