A classic one-on-one duel between star guards James Harden and Cade Cunningham decided Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Harden scored seven points in the final 90 seconds, allowing the Cleveland Cavaliers to pull out a 116-109 win over the visiting Detroit Pistons for their first victory in the series.
The fourth-seeded Cavaliers remain at home Monday for Game 4, attempting to pull even with top-seeded Detroit. Cleveland is a perfect 5-0 in its arena so far this postseason.
“We felt like we had more control of the game, instead of always having to fight your way back, always having to make sure that every play is perfect,” Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen said Sunday following practice.
“… When you’re ahead, you can hit singles, you can slow the ball down, do whatever.”
Cleveland did squander a 17-point lead Saturday as Cunningham, Tobias Harris and seldom-used center Paul Reed took over midway through the second half. The Pistons went in front 101-100 on Harris’ 3-pointer with 4:57 left.
Donovan Mitchell, who had 35 points and 10 rebounds, was the Cavaliers’ best player for most of the game, but it was fellow veteran Harden who saved the day and the series. He turned back the clock with a 19-point, seven-assist performance.
“It’s tough because we could have went ahead 3-0,” said Reed, who had 11 points in 10 minutes for Detroit after halftime. “Now, we’ve got to focus on the prize and what’s next.”
Cunningham’s second career playoff triple-double — 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists — was overshadowed by a disastrous closing stretch that saw him commit three of his eight turnovers in a 41-second span.
Detroit was outscored 12-5 over the final 2:28 as Cunningham gave the ball away on three straight possessions, including a pass that was stolen by Max Strus and gave the Cavaliers the lead for good at 106-104.
“Little things, just careless turnovers. I wouldn’t even say careless. I care a lot,” Cunningham said. “Just bad plays that could have gotten shots on rim and given us an opportunity to win the game.”
The Pistons also practiced Sunday, using the upstairs court at the arena while the Cavaliers were in their suburban training facility.
Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff deflected part of the blame for Cunningham’s mistakes toward his teammates and his own strategy.
“There are some spacing issues that we can resolve that’ll help him out,” Bickerstaff said. “And there are some plays that I know he wishes he could just have back.”
The Pistons also need more from All-Star center Jalen Duren, who was again outplayed by Allen (18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor).
Allen also was instrumental in Cleveland’s failed comeback in Game 2, when he racked up 22 points to eight by Duren. The Detroit big man has only taken 15 shots in the last two contests, making seven.
“He can be a little bit lower (in the paint) and finish and be more explosive at the end,” Bickerstaff admitted. “But it’s not just points for Jalen. He just has to do the right thing, and I think he’s done that.”
Detroit could be short-handed in the backcourt with Caris LeVert (right heel contusion) and Kevin Huerter (left adductor strain) listed as questionable. Huerter has not appeared since Game 4 of the first-round series vs. Orlando.
The Cavaliers are fully healthy with sharpshooter Sam Merrill returning from a hamstring strain in Game 3 and scoring seven points.
“I was really surprised he played,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said of Merrill. “I’ve dealt with hamstrings and they usually just take time. I’m not sure we win that game without him.
