May 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA: Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) during the second half of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs second round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals was decided by an old-school showdown between star guards James Harden and Cade Cunningham.
Harden delivered seven points in the final 90 seconds to help the Cleveland Cavaliers secure a 116-109 victory over the visiting Detroit Pistons, giving them their first win of the series.
The fourth-seeded Cavaliers, now back home for Game 4 on Monday, aim to tie the series against top-seeded Detroit. Cleveland boasts a perfect 5-0 home record so far this postseason.
“We felt like we had more control of the game, instead of always having to fight your way back, always having to make sure that every play is perfect,” Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen said after Sunday’s practice. “… When you’re ahead, you can hit singles, you can slow the ball down, do whatever.”
Cleveland had surrendered a 17-point lead on Saturday as Cunningham, Tobias Harris, and seldom-used center Paul Reed took control midway through the second half. The Pistons went ahead 101-100 on Harris’ three-pointer with 4:57 remaining.
Donovan Mitchell was the Cavaliers’ standout performer for most of the game with 35 points and 10 rebounds, but fellow veteran Harden saved the day and the series. He turned back the clock, finishing with 19 points and seven assists.
“It’s tough because we could have went ahead 3-0,” said Reed, who scored 11 points in 10 minutes for Detroit after halftime. “Now, we’ve got to focus on the prize and what’s next.”
Cunningham’s second career playoff triple-double — 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists — was overshadowed by a disastrous closing stretch, during which he committed three of his eight turnovers in a 41-second span.
Detroit was outscored 12-5 over the final 2:28 as Cunningham turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions, including a pass stolen by Max Strus that gave the Cavaliers the lead for good at 106-104.
“Little things, just careless turnovers. I wouldn’t even say careless. I care a lot,” Cunningham said. “Just bad plays that could have gotten shots on rim and given us an opportunity to win the game.”
The Pistons also practiced Sunday, using the upstairs court at the arena while the Cavaliers were in their suburban training facility.
Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff took some of the blame for Cunningham’s mistakes, pointing to spacing issues and his own strategy. “There are some spacing issues that we can resolve that’ll help him out,” Bickerstaff said. “And there are some plays that I know he wishes he could just have back.”
The Pistons also need more from All-Star center Jalen Duren, who was again outplayed by Allen (18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor). Allen was instrumental in Cleveland’s failed comeback attempt in Game 2, posting 22 points compared to Duren’s eight. The Detroit big man has taken only 15 shots in the last two games, making seven.
“He can be a little bit lower (in the paint) and finish and be more explosive at the end,” Bickerstaff admitted. “But it’s not just points for Jalen. He just has to do the right thing, and I think he’s done that.”
Detroit could face a short-handed backcourt with Caris LeVert (right heel contusion) and Kevin Huerter (left adductor strain) listed as questionable. Huerter has not played since Game 4 of the first-round series against Orlando.
The Cavaliers are fully healthy, with sharpshooter Sam Merrill returning from a hamstring strain in Game 3 and scoring seven points.
“I was really surprised he played,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said of Merrill. “I’ve dealt with hamstrings and they usually just take time. I’m not sure how he did it.”
