The Detroit Pistons lost 116-109 on Saturday to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. <\/p>\n
James Harden hit three clutch shots in the final two minutes and Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points for the Cavaliers, who cut the Pistons’ series lead to 2-1 with Saturday’s victory.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Mitchell reached 2,000 career postseason points in his 73rd game, tied for third-fastest among active players and ninth in NBA history.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Max Strus intercepted an inbound pass by Cunningham at midcourt and made a breakaway layup with 2:28 left.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Robinson was short on a 3-pointer after a timeout and Mitchell made three free throws down the stretch.<\/p>\n
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