Cavs overcome 15-point deficit, edge Pistons in OT: 'We just made big plays'
The Cavaliers are one win away from their first conference finals appearance since 2018.
Let it be known, the Cleveland Cavaliers won't lose six games in a row on the road in the playoffs. Facing a loud crowd in Game 5 at Little Caesars Arena, the Cavs survived a 39-point performance from Cade Cunningham and gutted out a 117-113 overtime victory as they're now one win away from their first conference finals appearance since 2018. Cleveland was a paltry 0-5 on the road and a perfect 6-0 at home.
They went on a 9-0 run to end regulation, outscoring Detroit 23-10 run to stun the Pistons. Before the game, Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson lamented the team's road woes. But after Cleveland overcame a game-high, 15-point deficit and a nine-point deficit with three minutes remaining in regulation, they have momentum entering Game 6 in Rocket Arena on Friday.
"Man, we just made big plays," Atkinson said. "We're down eight, down nine. I think that stretch right there says a lot about our progress, mental performance process and mental toughness process.
"We kept at it. Evan Mobley, huge plays. Max Strus, huge plays.