Facing a daunting series deficit, Cleveland’s backcourt stars ignited a late-game surge to stifle Detroit’s momentum and keep the Cavaliers’ postseason championship hopes alive heading into Game 4.
The Cleveland Cavaliers fended off becoming year another team to fall to 3-0 in their conference semifinals matchup with their 116-109 victory over the surging Detroit Pistons.
As the series went back to Cleveland, it was star guard and former MVP James Harden who fueled the rebound victory with a bounce back performance of his own.
After scoring just 16 points over the first two games combined on just nine made baskets, Harden scored 19 in Game 3, shooting 8-of-19 from the floor, 3-of-7 from three point range. He also drilled three key shots, including a dagger three, near the end of the game to put the victory away.
For more on Harden’s performance, Cavaliers Roundtable writer Spencer German broke down his narrative-shifting game.
Harden was the story for his late-game heroics and clutch surge, but he wasn’t alone. Guard Donovan Mitchell added 35 points himself while shooting 54.2% from the floor. He added 10 rebounds, securing a double-double in the victory.
It was a near-dominant performance by the Cavs who led for 75% of the game, per ESPN Stats and Info and held the largest lead of the game up 17 at one point.
Just when it began to look like the Pistons were set to run away with this series, Cleveland found a way to storm back before things got out of hand.
They’ll need to continue to hold off the Pistons with a chance to even up the series at home on Monday.
Case Cunningham, who notched a 27, 10 and 10 triple-double Saturday night, and the Pistons are going to bring a competitive surge in Game 4. Cleveland’s confidence building win could have come at the perfect time.