Mitchell ignites Cavaliers, cutting Pistons' series lead
Donovan Mitchell ignited the Cavaliers' offence with a 35-point, 10-rebound masterclass, powering them to a vital 116-109 win over the Pistons and halving their semi-final series deficit.
In a critical conference semi-final contest, the Cavaliers avoided a daunting 0-3 hole, securing a must-have victory on their home floor.
Cleveland built a 16-point halftime advantage, fuelled by a decisive second quarter where they outscored Detroit 32-18. However, the Pistons, spurred by Duncan Robinson's five steals and Cade Cunningham's triple-double of 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, clawed back significantly, entering the final frame with only a two-point deficit (83-81). The Cavaliers ultimately sealed their win through sustained offensive execution, despite converting just 64% of their free throws. Their bench contributing 28 points also proved significant, while Detroit struggled to a 45% field goal percentage.
Despite Tobias Harris adding 21 points, Cleveland's collective effort, featuring 18 points from Jarrett Allen and 13 points with eight rebounds from Evan Mobley, proved sufficient. The series now stands at 2-1 in favour of the Pistons, setting up a pivotal Game 4.