By Joel Reyes

 

The Cleveland Cavaliers recorded their first away win this playoffs in style, producing a stunning 117-113 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series on Thursday (PH time) at Little Caesars Arena.

 

The Cavs pulled off a miraculous comeback, unleashing a 23-10 run bridging the fourth quarter and overtime to move to within a victory of a spot in the East Finals.

 

Here are three takeaways from Cleveland’s incredible come-from-behind victory in the Motor City. 

 

 

James Harden reminded everybody of his brilliance in Game 5, scoring a team-high 30 points in the pivotal contest. He shot 8-for-21 from the field and 11-for-14 from the free-throw line. It was the first time that Harden recorded a 30-point game for the Cavs in the playoffs.

 

 

Harden affected the game in other areas as well apart from his scoring, recording 8 rebounds and 6 assists. He also was a menace on the defensive end, racking up three blocks and one steal.

 

 

Cleveland’s comeback win in Game 5 wouldn’t be possible without the production of Max Strus. He scored 20 points on 6-for-8 shooting, with all of his field goals coming from beyond the arc.

 

He also made an impact on the defensive end, grabbing a crucial steal in overtime that helped set up Mitchell’s layup for a seven-point lead, an advantage the Cavs would not relinquish. 

 

 

The Pistons were three minutes away from securing a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Detroit had the contest under control, building a 103-94 lead over a Cleveland team that hadn’t won a single away game in this year’s playoffs.

 

Disaster struck, however, for the Pistons in the closing stages of regulation, as the Cavs went on a 9-0 run in the final 2:36 to force overtime. Cleveland completed the comeback in the extra period, outscoring Detroit 14-10 to move to the brink of the Eastern Conference Finals