James Harden hit three clutch shots in the final two minutes, Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Detroit 116-109 on Saturday to cut the Pistons’ lead to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Harden bounced back from two mistake-marred performances to finish with 19 points and Jarrett Allen scored 18 for the Cavaliers, who will look to even the series when they host Game 4 on Monday night.
Mitchell reached 2,000 career postseason points in his 73rd game, tied for third-fastest among active players and ninth in NBA history.
James Harden of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against the Detroit Pistons during the third quarter in Game 3 on May 9, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images Detroit’s Cade Cunningham had his second career postseason triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but also committed eight turnovers. Tobias Harris added 21 points.
Duncan Robinson’s 3-pointer with 3:14 remaining tied it at 104 before Cleveland, which is unbeaten in five playoff home games, was able to seize control.
Max Strus intercepted an inbound pass by Cunningham at midcourt and made a breakaway layup with 2:28 left.
Harden, who drew plenty of criticism for turnovers in the clutch in the first two games, kept the Cavaliers in front with big shots. The 17-year veteran hit a 16-foot step-back jumper to extend the lead to 108-104. After a driving dunk by Cunningham, Harden made a floating 7-footer to put the lead back up to four.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots in front of Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) inthe first half of Game 3 of a second-round NBA playoffs series on Saturday, May 9, 2026 in Cleveland. AP Cunningham responded with a 3-pointer before Harden provided the decisive blow with 25 seconds remaining on a step-back 3-pointer while being guarded by Harris to make it 113-109.
Robinson was short on a 3-pointer after a timeout and Mitchell made three free throws down the stretch.
