Harden’s 30 lift Cavs past Pistons 117-113 in OT; Cleveland leads 3-2

Thursday, May 14, 2026Confirmed

Sports Desk

What we know

James Harden scored a playoff-best 30 points and Donovan Mitchell added 21 as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from a nine-point deficit in the final minutes of regulation and beat the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime in Detroit, taking a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series, AP, ESPN, NBC Sports and NBA.com reported.

Cleveland, previously 0-5 on the road this postseason, trailed 103-94 before a late 9-0 regulation run forced overtime. Mitchell scored seven of his points in OT. Max Strus had 20 off the bench. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 39. Game 6 is Friday in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers can close the series at home.

What's confirmed

AP: Harden 30, Mitchell 21; Cavs 117-113 OT; series 3-2 Cleveland (AP).
ESPN: First Cavaliers road win of the playoffs; Detroit had a 96.8% win probability when up nine late (ESPN).
NBC Sports: Cleveland outscored Detroit 23-10 from the final three minutes of regulation through OT (NBC Sports).
NBA.com: Starting 5 roundup confirms Game 5 OT result and Friday Game 6 in Cleveland (NBA.com).

What's still developing

Whether Detroit can force a Game 7 after blowing a late nine-point lead on its home floor.
Cleveland's ability to protect a home closeout chance Friday after five prior road losses.
Rotation and foul trouble management after a short turnaround.

Sources

AP — James Harden scores 30 and Cavaliers rally past Pistons 117-113 in OT for 3-2 series lead link
ESPN — Cavaliers outlast Pistons in OT, score 1st road win of playoffs link
NBC Sports — Cleveland rallies from 9 points down in the final 3 minutes to force OT, wins in Detroit to take 3-2 lead link
NBA.com — Starting 5: Cavs go up 3-2 after furious rally link