Cavaliers-Pistons Game 3 instant reactions to James Harden-led Cavs win

Through nine playoff games, the Cavs hadn't seen much of it. But in a must-win Game 3, Harden likely saved the Cavs' playoff lives by doing exactly what they had envisioned.

Harden's jumper, followed by a 3 in the final minute, has the Cavs still breathing in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Donovan Mitchell was also fantastic, finally putting together the type of game for which the Cavs were waiting.

Cleveland's guard duo hadn't looked like this since the first two games of the Raptors series. If they can keep this up, they are far from buried.

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Pistons vs Cavs Game 3: Nate Ulrich's instant reaction

In the first half of Game 3, the Cavs looked like such a different team than they did in Detroit, and their home-versus-road act is a psychological hurdle no matter what anyone says about the phenomenon.

Donovan Mitchell returned to being an explosive athlete who can drive and score at will. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen dunked over certified tough guys. James Harden dipped into the fountain of youth. Even Sam Merrill's injured hamstring held up.

None of it happened consistently in Detroit.

But in Cleveland? Yeah, in Cleveland, the Cavs are capable of living up to the hype. Unfortunately for the fourth-seeded Cavs, the top-seeded Pistons have home-court advantage in this series, so a mental barrier will need to be conquered for Cleveland to advance to Round 3.

The Cavs can certainly get in their own way. Just look at the third quarter of Game 3 for an example. They led by 16 points at halftime, only to be outscored 33-19 in the third quarter.

But the Cavs regrouped enough in the fourth quarter to prevail. Where the game was played had a lot to do with it.

Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich cover the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. The Beacon Journal sports department can be reached at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 3 instant reactions, analysis of Cavs win