By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Cleveland Cavaliers erased a 15-point deficit to defeat the Detroit Pistons 117–113 in overtime on Wednesday, taking a 3–2 lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google.
German guard Dennis Schroder sparked the bench with five points and five assists, while Dutch forward Tristan Enaruna and French center Olivier Sarr remained inactive. Crucially, James Harden kept Cleveland afloat with 13 early points, while Max Strus hit four first-half 3-pointers.
The Cavs dominated the third quarter, but Detroit countered with a late 15–2 run in the fourth to lead 103–94. Evan Mobley then triggered a furious 9–0 run, hitting a 3-pointer and two clutch free throws with 45.2 seconds left to force five extra minutes.
Finishing with 30 points at Little Caesars Arena, James Harden helped ice the game from the free-throw line in the final seconds, while Cunningham’s valiant 39-point effort fell just short for the Pistons.
Game 6 follows in Cleveland’s Rocket Arena on Friday.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 2-3 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – New York Knicks / New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 3-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs / Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions