Pistons fold late in Game 5 OT heartbreaker to James Harden, Cavaliers

TL;DR

The Detroit Pistons lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-113 in Game 5 overtime, missing a chance to advance to the conference finals. The Cavaliers now lead the series 3-2 and can clinch it in Game 6.

Key points

Pistons lost 117-113 in overtime to Cavaliers
Cavaliers lead series 3-2
Cavaliers closed regulation with a 9-0 run
Game 6 scheduled for Friday night
Pistons missed chance to advance to conference finals

Detroit PistonsCleveland Cavaliers

Pistons fold late in Game 5 OT heartbreaker to James Harden, Cavaliers

The Detroit Pistons could taste a win, which would have put them one victory from the conference finals after a frenetic fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But the Cavs used a 9-0 run to close regulation, then scored the first four points of overtime and held off the Pistons on Wednesday, May 13, for a 117-113 victory in Game 5, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

The 4-seed Cavs now have a 3-2 series lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals, winning three in a row. They can close out the 1-seed Pistons in Game 6 on Friday night in Cleveland.

Cade Cunningham scored a game-high 39 points.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up before the Game 5 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.