CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 39 points in the second half to tie an NBA playoff record, which propelled the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 112-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. This win leveled their second-round series.
Mitchell equaled Eric “Sleepy” Floyd’s record with a free throw at 27.6 seconds left in the game. Floyd originally set the record in 1987 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Mitchell had an opportunity to surpass the record but missed his subsequent free throw.
Ending the night with 43 points, Mitchell was instrumental during Cleveland’s impressive 24-0 run, contributing 15 of those points. This surge spanned from the final 12 seconds of the first half to the initial six minutes of the third quarter. The Cavaliers had been trailing 56-52 at halftime before seizing the momentum.
During this run, the Cavaliers were highly efficient, hitting 10 out of 12 shots, including three from beyond the arc. Their defense also capitalized on the Pistons’ mistakes, converting five turnovers into nine points.
The 24-point streak was the longest seen in an NBA playoff game since Minnesota’s similar feat in Game 6 of its Western Conference semifinal against Denver in 2024. For Cleveland, this was the longest playoff run recorded since the introduction of play-by-play statistics in the 1997-98 season, surpassing their previous high of 19 points achieved against Boston in an Eastern semifinal game.
James Harden had his 40th playoff double-double with 24 points and 11 assists. Evan Mobley had 17 points, five blocked shots and three steals as Cleveland remained unbeaten at home in six playoff games.
Caris LeVert had a season high 24 points for Detroit. Cade Cunningham scored 19, the first time he has been held under 20 in 11 playoff games this season, and Tobias Harris added 16.
Game 5 is Wednesday night in Detroit.
Harden scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers, as the Cavaliers jumped out to a 16-5 lead five minutes into the game. The Pistons countered with a 23-5 run that included 10 points by LeVert. Detroit was 9 of 13 from the field during the eight-minute spurt while Cleveland was 2 of 14 and missed all eight 3-point attempts.
Cleveland’s largest lead was 21 points in the fourth quarter.