Donovan Mitchell powered the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 116-109 win over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals at Rocket Arena. The guard finished with 35 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in 38:23, good for a Sofascore Rating of 8.5. Cleveland, the 4-seed, now sits at 1-2 in the series based on the series score listed in the box score.

Mitchell’s box score at a glance

– 35 points on 13-of-24 shooting
– 2-of-8 from three and 7-of-8 at the line
– 10 rebounds (9 defensive), 4 assists
– +7 plus-minus with 3 turnovers and 3 fouls

Cleveland built a 64-48 halftime lead behind Mitchell’s 20 first-half points. Detroit surged with a 33-19 third quarter to tighten things, but the Cavaliers closed it late. Mitchell added 9 in the fourth and went 5-of-6 at the stripe to keep the hosts in front.

How the scoring came in waves

Mitchell opened with 9 first-quarter points, then hit his most efficient stretch in the second: 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting with a +14 in 9:42. The third was choppier with 6 points and two turnovers as Detroit cut into the lead. He steadied the game in the fourth, adding a key offensive rebound and a pair of two-point makes, plus those late free throws.

Efficiency and usage tell the story

Mitchell carried Cleveland’s offense with a 37.0% usage rate on the night. He posted a 58.33% effective field goal percentage and a 63.59% true shooting percentage, a strong blend of volume and efficiency for a primary option. Inside the arc he was 11-of-16, which cushioned a colder 2-of-8 from deep. It was a classic star turn: high involvement, controlled mistakes, and timely trips to the line.

What it means for the series

The Cavaliers claim a 116-109 home win and pull the series to 1-2 against the 1-seed Pistons. Mitchell’s double-double, along with Cleveland’s 33-point fourth quarter, resets the tone heading into the next matchup. You can track live NBA Playoffs box scores, play-by-play and every Sofascore Rating on Sofascore throughout the series.