Cleveland protected home court with a 116-109 victory over Detroit in the NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference semifinals at Rocket Arena. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 35 points and 10 rebounds, and he closed the night at the line. The crowd of 19,432 saw the hosts survive a third‑quarter surge before finishing the job.

Mitchell’s closing act and Harden’s timely three

Detroit cut the deficit to 110-109 on Cade Cunningham’s late three. James Harden answered with a triple for 113-109, then Mitchell sank four free throws in the final half-minute to seal it. Mitchell finished 13-of-24 from the field with 4 assists and a Sofascore Rating 8.5.

Inside efficiency carried Cleveland

The Cavaliers shot 58 percent from the field and a ruthless 73 percent on two-pointers (31-of-42). Jarrett Allen went 7-of-9 for 18 points with 2 blocks, while Evan Mobley added 13 points, 8 boards and 4 assists. Detroit won the glass 40-33 and grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, but the visitors could not match Cleveland’s accuracy.

Game of swings, then composure

Cleveland edged the first quarter 32-30 and blew the game open with a 32-18 second frame. Detroit roared back 33-19 in the third behind Cunningham, before the Cavs steadied themselves 33-28 in the fourth. Cleveland led for 36:09 and built a largest lead of 17, according to Sofascore event data.

Pistons’ stars kept it close

Cunningham recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, though he shot 10-of-27 and had 8 turnovers. Tobias Harris chipped in 21 points, and Duncan Robinson hit four threes and swiped five steals. Paul Reed supplied 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting off the bench.

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