The Cleveland Cavaliers remained undefeated at Rocket Arena in the NBA playoffs, pushing past the Detroit Pistons late in the fourth quarter for a 116-109 victory in Game 3 for their first win in this Eastern Conference semifinal series. 

It was a high-stakes matchup in which the season was essentially on the line, and the Cavs delivered when required to rise to the occasion. They turned stops into positive possessions in winning time, including James Harden scoring seven straight in 90 seconds to get them across the finish line. 

Spencer German and Spencer Davies break down Cleveland's critical response in the newest episode of Courtside with Cavs.

Topics of the latest show include the following:

- Harden's response to the last two games in Detroit was professional and exactly what the team needed. He encouraged Donovan Mitchell to get downhill and assume the brunt of the workload, got both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen involved in the pocket, and took care of the basketball. 

- Mitchell's downhill drives got to the restricted area, as he and Harden got favorable matchups against Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson on the perimeter. It resulted in opportunities at the rim and at the free-throw line for Spida, bending Detroit's demanding defense.

- If it weren't for Max Strus' heart and competitive spirit, Cleveland may not have even had the chance to shut the door on Cade Cunningham and the Pistons in the fourth quarter. He was only credited for one steal (an insanely impressive inbounds theft), but his deflections and timely plays shifted the momentum throughout the evening.

- Dennis Schroder was a huge part of the Cavs' bench and has played with just as much intensity as Strus. He used his speed to his advantage and knocked down three crucial triples from the corner, particularly one out of an ATO that put Cleveland up by 10 at the beginning of the final frame. 

 - Cleveland showed grit and resilience in Game 3 to put a little more pressure on the inexperienced Pistons in this second-round series. Involving the big men is imperative, and it has to continue to have a chance. There were 17 free throw attempts between Mobley and Allen, showing that there is a way to make Detroit pay on the interior.

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