Basketball: Cleveland ties series with Detroit — 2-2 in NBA playoffs
The Cavaliers won 112-103, restoring equality in the best-of-seven series.
Main Event
The NBA playoffs delivered another drama for fans. On the night of May 12, 2026, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a vital 112-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons at their home arena, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, tying the Eastern Conference semifinal series at 2-2. The best-of-seven series, which started disastrously for the Cavaliers at 0-2, has now turned into an even battle where the fate of a trip to the conference finals will be decided in the coming days.
The undisputed hero of the evening was Cleveland's point guard Donovan Mitchell. The Cavaliers star delivered a performance that will go down in league history: 43 points in the game, an incredible 39 of which came in the second half. This feat allowed Mitchell to tie the NBA playoff record for most points in a single half, set by Eric "Sleepy" Floyd in 1987.
Details and Statistics
The game unfolded differently for the home team. Cleveland started strong: James Harden, who played a brilliant game as a playmaker, scored 11 points early, and the Cavaliers led 14-5 by the fifth minute. However, they couldn't hold that lead. Detroit responded with a powerful 23-5 run, with forward Caris LeVert leading the charge in the first half. He scored 17 of his eventual 24 points in the first half, making 7 of 12 field goals. The teams went into halftime with the Pistons leading 56-52.
The key moment of the game was Cleveland's transformation, and Donovan Mitchell's in particular, after the break. In the first two quarters, the guard had a modest 4 points, but during halftime, he reportedly apologized to his teammates and promised to make things right. Mitchell more than kept his promise. The Cavaliers unleashed a devastating stretch bridging the second and third quarters: including the final seconds of the first half, the run was 25-0, the largest such spurt in the playoffs for Cleveland since the league began tracking second-by-second statistics in the 1996-97 season.
Mitchell was unstoppable: he shot from beyond the arc, drove to the basket, and drew fouls. In the second half, he scored 39 points on 13-of-26 shooting, including 4 three-pointers. The third quarter ended 38-21 in favor of the home team, sealing the final outcome. James Harden also made a significant contribution, finishing with 24 points, 11 assists, and 4 steals, while committing only 2 turnovers. For Detroit, the game fell apart after halftime, and the team couldn't fight back despite their efforts.
A statistical highlight that sparked intense post-game reaction was the disparity in free throws. Cleveland shot 34 free throws (making 30), while Detroit attempted only 12 (making 9). Mitchell alone attempted 15 free throws, more than the entire Pistons team combined.
Context and Significance
Before the series, Detroit, the No. 1 seed in the conference, was considered the clear favorite against the No. 4 seed. The Pistons won the first two games convincingly on their home court, 111-101 and 107-97, and it seemed the series was heading for a quick conclusion. However, Cleveland found the resources for a comeback. First came a road win in Detroit in Game 3, 116-109, and now a home triumph that completely flipped the series script.
The historical context of Mitchell's performance goes beyond tying a 40-year-old record. His 21-point third quarter marked his fifth career 20-point quarter in the playoffs, tying Stephen Curry and Jamal Murray for the most such quarters. Such individual feats in crucial playoff games build legends, and Mitchell has etched his name into Cavaliers history in golden letters.
The emotional intensity was heightened by a controversy that erupted after the final buzzer. Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff criticized the officiating in his press conference, calling the free throw disparity "unacceptable." "It's impossible to imagine one player [Mitchell] taking more free throws than our entire team. Since we arrived in Cleveland, the whistle has changed," the frustrated coach stated.
What's Next / Next Game Preview
The series heads back to Detroit, where Game 5, a critical matchup, will take place at Little Caesars Arena on the night of May 14 Moscow time. With the series tied 2-2, every game is now an elimination game. Winning Game 5 provides a huge psychological advantage, as the loser will be on the brink of elimination.
For Cleveland, the key will be maintaining the aggression and mindset that turned the series around. This primarily concerns Mitchell — can he continue his spectacular play on the road? For Detroit, the priority is not only containing the opponent's stars but also keeping their composure, as disputes with officials and dissatisfaction with refereeing risk distracting the team from the main goal.
If the Cavaliers can win on the road, they could clinch a sensational trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in Game 6 at home on May 15. If the Pistons live up to their No. 1 seed status and win at home, everything will be decided in Game 7 in Detroit on May 17. Without a doubt, fans are in for one of the most exciting and hard-fought matchups of these playoffs.
— Editorial Team
