Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The three Cavaliers deserving the most credit for the Game 5 win in Detroit

The Cleveland Cavaliers stunned the Pistons in Detroit, coming back from a 15-digit deficit to win Game 5 in overtime. It looked like it would be a quick series because Detroit seized the first two outings, but now it shifts back to Cleveland for the sixth confrontation.

It’s not over but the winner of a Game 5 after being tied 2-2 advances 81.5 percent of the time.

Props in order: James Harden, who has taken relentless criticism for his playoff performances, came through with his best game of the series, which included a combined 18 points between the second and third quarters. He kept putting pressure on the defense by getting to the line, which took pressure off Donovan Mitchell, who didn’t step up until overtime. 

Harden’s play of the night was recovering an offensive rebound off his own missed free throw while the Cavs were up three points with 24.4 seconds left. He even cranked up his defense after Cade Cunningham locked him up, by putting pressure on the ball and forcing misses. 

Additionally, Evan Mobley found his groove in the second half, finding shooters and cutters out of the short roll, plus he scored on two rim strikes and two 3-pointers, which included the shot to cut the deficit to two points with 82 seconds left of the fourth quarter. 

And mad Max Strus was the perfect release valve, nailing six 3-pointers, and had one pivotal play of overtime when he stripped Cunningham in Detroit’s territory and flicked the ball to Mitchell for a pick-6. Coach Kenny Atkinson quickly mentioned that play when asked about one that stood out to him. 

The Pistons were affected by Duncan Robinson’s absence (sore back) by not having a reliable punisher when Cunningham was doubled. It was also impossible to ignore Tobias Harris remembering he’s a mortal, and J.B. Bickerstaff, the Cavaliers’ former coach, benching his brawny big man, Jalen Duren, for the third-stringer Paul Reed (remember him Doc Rivers?), who didn’t play scared and logged every minute of the fourth quarter. 

Each series is different because of the matchups, but the Pistons can at least tell themselves that they’ve been in this situation before versus Orlando, and believe they are capable of an encore. But the Cavs are undefeated in these playoffs at home. 

Additionally, the Cavaliers are on the verge of going to their first conference finals since 2018, which was LeBron James’ last year with the team. A good case could be made that Mitchell has been the organization’s second-best player ever in his four tours with them. 

The series is in the equivalent of the championship rounds in boxing — regardless of how much longer it goes, it’s been a delight to witness the Cavaliers-Pistons rivalry reborn.