Cavaliers vs Pistons instant reactions to Cavs stealing Game 5 in OT

[ASFN Admin]

DETROIT — The Cavaliers and Pistons met for a crucial Game 5 on Wednesday, May 13, with the best-of-seven second-round NBA playoff series tied after four games.

The Pistons took a 2-0 series lead at home before the Cavs evened the series by taking Games 3 and 4 in Cleveland.

In Game 5 in Detroit, the Cavs outlasted the Pistons in overtime 117-113 to win their first game on the road in the playoffs to take a 3-2 series lead. The series will return to Cleveland for Game 6, which is set for 7 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Rocket Arena.

Cavs playoffs: Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 5 highlights, stats and analysis

Here are Game 5 instant reactions from Beacon Journal writers Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich:

Cavs vs Pistons Game 5: Ryan Lewis' instant reaction​

• If the rim looked like a hula hoop to Donovan Mitchell in Game 4, it must have resembled a shot glass for most of Game 5. It's gonna be difficult for the Cavs to score enough with Mitchell starting 0-for-7 from 3-point range, where nothing would fall. Max Strus picked up a lot of that slack, but the Cavs need all of their firepower.
• Then again, Mitchell picked a great time to bury his first 3, hitting it in overtime to give the Cavs a seven-point lead.
• Turnovers have been the No. 1 theme of this series. The Cavs lost the turnover battle and they were demolished by points-off-turnovers. That kept the Pistons in the game, even with nobody other than Cade Cunningham being able to score consistently.
• The Cavs might have been extremely fortunate to avoid a foul call on Jarrett Allen, who appeared to trip Ausar Thompson in the final seconds of regulation. Then, in overtime, James Harden stepped out of bounds but was awarded free throws. It wouldn't be surprising if J.B. Bickerstaff goes on a fine-inducing rant postgame about those calls.
• The Cavs survived, and they're now in control of the series with their first win on the road, but that was chaotic.

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Cavs vs Pistons Game 5: Nate Ulrich's instant reaction​

• The turnover battle has been a huge factor throughout the Cavs-Pistons series, and it's not just about which team has fewer turnovers. It's more about whether a team capitalizes on turnovers with points or fails to take advantage of its opportunities.
• In the first half of Game 5, the Pistons won the turnover battle 10-6 and outscored the Cavs 20-2 in points off turnovers. The Pistons led 60-52 at halftime.
• However, the Cavs did a better job with turnovers coming out of halftime. They outscored the Pistons 6-2 in points off turnovers in the third quarter and "won" the third quarter 32-20. The Pistons ultimately finished Game 5 with a 17-15 advantage in the turnover battle and outscored the Cavs 27-16 in points off turnovers.

Here is a breakdown of the turnover battle in the first four games of the series:

• Game 1: Cavs lost turnover battle 20-12 (Detroit 31-16 in points off turnovers); Cleveland lost 111-101
• Game 2: Cavs won turnover battle 13-11 (Detroit 14-10 in points off turnovers); Cleveland lost 107-97
• Game 3: Cavs won turnover battle 16-15 (Cleveland 27-19 points off turnovers); Cleveland won 116-109
• Game 4: Cleveland won turnover battle 20-15 (Cleveland 25-20 points off turnovers); Cleveland won 112-103

Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich cover the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. The Beacon Journal sports department can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs win Game 5 vs Pistons to lead series. Instant reactions

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