Cavaliers earn must-win Game 3 victory at home, defeating Pistons 116-109 with Donovan Mitchell scoring 35 points

Key Points:

• The Cleveland Cavaliers won a crucial Game 3 against the Detroit Pistons with a 116-109 victory, narrowing their playoff series deficit to 2-1. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 35 points, delivering a key performance to keep the series competitive.
• Cleveland gained control in the fourth quarter through defensive pressure and timely scoring, including a pivotal steal by Max Strus and clutch baskets from James Harden, who finished with 19 points and seven assists.
• Mitchell and Harden improved their offensive aggressiveness compared to earlier games, attacking the basket early and gaining confidence to hit critical three-pointers, helping Cleveland establish a halftime lead.
• The Cavaliers' big men, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, contributed significantly with inside scoring, rebounds, and rim protection, limiting Detroit’s shooting effectiveness, especially from beyond the arc.
• Despite Cade Cunningham's triple-double performance (27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), Detroit struggled with turnovers and outside shooting, hitting only 36% from three-point range, which hindered their ability to keep pace with Cleveland.