Cavaliers' Mitchell Scores 35, Harden's Key Plays Secure Win, Eastern Conference Semifinals Series at 1-2
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 116-109 in Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals, reducing their series deficit to 1-2. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 35 points, while James Harden delivered crucial plays in the final minutes to secure the victory.
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- 📰 Published: May 10, 2026 at 08:52
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Los Angeles, May 9th, comprehensive foreign report) The Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA, powered by Donovan Mitchell's 35-point outburst and James Harden's spectacular performance before the end of the game, defeated the Detroit Pistons 116-109 today, snatching a crucial victory in Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals.
According to AFP, the Cavaliers suffered losses in the first two games in Detroit, but their home record in this season's playoffs remains undefeated, including a hard-fought seven-game series against the Toronto Raptors in the first round, where both teams won on their home court.
More importantly, the Cavaliers avoided falling into a 0-3 deficit, as no team in NBA history has ever come back from such a deficit to win a series.
Mitchell contributed 10 rebounds and 4 assists in this game. As for Harden, a three-time scoring champion who had been struggling in the first two games and was under immense pressure, he found his form in the crucial final quarter, scoring 9 of his 19 total points in the fiercely contested fourth quarter.
He scored 7 consecutive points late in the fourth quarter, including a critical three-pointer with 25.9 seconds left, extending the Cavaliers' lead to 4 points.
Despite the Pistons' Cade Cunningham recording a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, the Cavaliers withstood the pressure and successfully secured the victory.
Initially trailing by 7 points in the first quarter, the Cavaliers took control of the game in the second quarter with Mitchell's precise and steady performance. The Cavaliers led 64-48 at halftime and even extended their lead to 17 points at the start of the third quarter. However, the Pistons then mounted a comeback with a 12-0 run to take the lead, but the Cavaliers immediately responded with a 9-0 run to reclaim the lead.
In this seesaw battle, the Cavaliers entered the final quarter with a slim 83-81 lead. The top-seeded Pistons in the Eastern Conference briefly took the lead with less than 4 minutes remaining, but the Cavaliers immediately counterattacked again.
Harden said, "They made a comeback when we were leading by 17 points. We've seen this kind of situation many times; the key is to stay calm and win the game, and we did that." (Translated by Chen Yu-ting) 1150510
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(Central News Agency, Los Angeles, May 9th, comprehensive foreign report) The Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA, powered by Donovan Mitchell's 35-point outburst and James Harden's spectacular performance before the end of the game, defeated the Detroit Pistons 116-109 today, snatching a crucial victory in Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals.
According to AFP, the Cavaliers suffered losses in the first two games in Detroit, but their home record in this season's playoffs remains undefeated, including a hard-fought seven-game series against the Toronto Raptors in the first round, where both teams won on their home court.
More importantly, the Cavaliers avoided falling into a 0-3 deficit, as no team in NBA history has ever come back from such a deficit to win a series.
Mitchell contributed 10 rebounds and 4 assists in this game. As for Harden, a three-time scoring champion who had been struggling in the first two games and was under immense pressure, he found his form in the crucial final quarter, scoring 9 of his 19 total points in the fiercely contested fourth quarter.
He scored 7 consecutive points late in the fourth quarter, including a critical three-pointer with 25.9 seconds left, extending the Cavaliers' lead to 4 points.
Despite the Pistons' Cade Cunningham recording a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, the Cavaliers withstood the pressure and successfully secured the victory.
Initially trailing by 7 points in the first quarter, the Cavaliers took control of the game in the second quarter with Mitchell's precise and steady performance. The Cavaliers led 64-48 at halftime and even extended their lead to 17 points at the start of the third quarter. However, the Pistons then mounted a comeback with a 12-0 run to take the lead, but the Cavaliers immediately responded with a 9-0 run to reclaim the lead.
In this seesaw battle, the Cavaliers entered the final quarter with a slim 83-81 lead. The top-seeded Pistons in the Eastern Conference briefly took the lead with less than 4 minutes remaining, but the Cavaliers immediately counterattacked again.
Harden said, "They made a comeback when we were leading by 17 points. We've seen this kind of situation many times; the key is to stay calm and win the game, and we did that." (Translated by Chen Yu-ting) 1150510
Stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.