Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3 Review

Game 3 Recap

The Cavaliers emerged with a 116-109 victory in Detroit, trimming their series deficit from 2-0 to 2-1 and setting up a potential tie at 2-2 with Game 4 back in Cleveland. Cleveland shot 58% from the floor (43 of 74) and edged Detroit from long range, 38% to 36%. Donovan Mitchell dropped 35 points on 13-of-24 shooting (54%), adding 10 rebounds and four assists. James Harden (19 points) hit the fourth-quarter surge, converting three huge shots (seven points) over the final three minutes. Three other Cavaliers reached double figures as they continued their unbeaten home playoff run, now 5-0.

Detroit’s spark came from Cade Cunningham, who totaled 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for a triple-double. Tobias Harris contributed 21 points, and Cunningham and Harris joined Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal as the most recent duo to post 20-plus points in six straight postseason games. The Pistons trailed by 16 at halftime but used a +14 third quarter to climb within two before Cleveland finished strong to hold on. With Game 5 in Detroit looming, Detroit’s 1-3 road record would be on the line as they aimed to push the series back to Michigan up 3-1 or level it at 2-2.