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Mitchell’s record-tying 39 in 2nd half lifts Cavs past Pistons 112-103; series even
Confirmed
What we know
Donovan Mitchell scored 39 points in the second half — tying an NBA playoff record — and finished with 43 as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 112-103 on Monday night in Cleveland, evening their Eastern Conference semifinal series at 2-2, AP, ESPN, CBS Sports and NBC Sports reported Tuesday.
Mitchell had only four points at halftime before fueling a 24-0 Cavs run bridging the second and third quarters. James Harden added 24 points and 11 assists; Evan Mobley had 17 points with five blocks. Game 5 is Wednesday in Detroit.
What's confirmed
- AP: Mitchell tied Eric "Sleepy" Floyd's 1987 playoff half record with 39; Cavs 112-103; series 2-2 (AP).
- ESPN: Recap confirms 43-point night, 24-0 run and Wednesday Game 5 in Detroit (ESPN).
- CBS Sports: Historic second-half "Cavalanche" detail matches AP wire on the series-evening win (CBS Sports).
- NBC Sports: Same final score and Mitchell's second-half takeover to knot the series (NBC Sports).
What's still developing
- Whether Mitchell's scoring surge carries into a hostile Game 5 at Little Caesars Arena.
- Pistons' response after home teams won the first four games of the series.
- Matchup implications for a possible Knicks–Cavaliers Eastern Conference finals.
Sources
- AP — Mitchell ties NBA playoff mark with 39 points in 2nd half as Cavs even series vs. Pistons 112-103 link
- ESPN — Mitchell scores 39 in 2nd half as Cavs tie series vs. Pistons link
- CBS Sports — Donovan Mitchell leads historic second-half 'Cavalanche' as Cavaliers rally to even series with Pistons link
- NBC Sports — Donovan Mitchell scores 39 in second half, sparks run, earns Cavaliers win to even series 2-2 link