NBA playoff takeaways: Cavaliers win as Pistons let Cade Cunningham down

In the all-important Game 5, the Cavaliers did something they hadn’t done all postseason long: they won away from Cleveland.

The Cavs outlasted the Detroit Pistons Wednesday, May 13 to take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals, putting them one victory away from a date in the conference finals with the New York Knicks.

And now the series will head back to Cleveland, where the Cavaliers haven’t lost in the playoffs, winning all six games they’ve played at Rocket Arena.

James Harden led all Cavaliers with 30 points on 8-of-21 shooting (38.1%), while Donovan Mitchell added 21 and Evan Mobley chipped in 19.

The Cavaliers won, 117-113, in overtime.

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See Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessica Alba, and more at the NBA Playoffs

The energy of the NBA playoffs extends well beyond the court, filling arenas with sound, color and emotion.

See how fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots help set the tone during the opening moments of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

Above, Terrell Owens cheers during the second quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 10, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1 / 97

See Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessica Alba, and more at the NBA Playoffs

The energy of the NBA playoffs extends well beyond the court, filling arenas with sound, color and emotion.

See how fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots help set the tone during the opening moments of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

Actors Kevin Connolly, Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn attend Game 4 of the playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026.

Actress Jessica Alba attends Game 4 of the playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026.

Coco Jones hugs her fiancee Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell after the Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons in game three in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

Detroit Pistons dancers perform during a time out in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena.

Allen Iverson attends the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green looks on in the first half of the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena.

A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game three between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

Retired Oklahoma women’s basketball college basketball coach Sherri Coale watches the second half of game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center.

Oklahoma City Thunder fans cheer for their team against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.

Former NBA players Jalen Rose and Jimmy King look on during a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 07, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan.

Cooper DeJean of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on before the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Franklin the Dog, mascot of the Philadelphia 76ers, greets Ben Stiller in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Ben Stiller and Arthur Embiid, son of Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, interact during the game between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers signs autographs before Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Detroit Pistons at Rocket Arena on May 09, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions and former NBA player Jalen Rose meet during the first half of a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 07, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan.

Actor Timothée Chalamet reacts during the third quarter in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on May 06, 2026, in New York City.

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns greets his fiancee, Jordyn Woods, after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 in game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.

Bryce Underwood of the Michigan Wolverines watches from court side during the second quarter of a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 05, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan.

Actor and filmmaker Spike Lee reacts to a call during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Actor Ben Stiller reacts after Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on May 06, 2026, in New York City.

Actor Timothee Chalamet celebrates after the New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 in game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.

Socialite Jordyn Woods looks on during the second quarter in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on May 06, 2026, in New York City.

Former San Antonio Spurs player Tim Duncan looks on in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center.

Minnesota Timberwolves co-owner Alex Rodriguez watches Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on May 06, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.

Rapper Fat Joe and actor Ben Stiller embrace after Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on May 06, 2026, in New York City.

Former San Antonio Spurs player Manu Ginobili looks on during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Frost Bank Center.

Actor Tracy Morgan sits court side during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Actor Matt Dilon sits court side during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

The San Antonio Spurs Hype Squad performs in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center.

Jimmy Fallon reacts during the second quarter of a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026, in New York City.

American comedian and talk show host Jimmy Fallon sits court side during the fourth quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden.

Former San Antonio Spurs player David Robinson looks on during the second quarter of a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Spurs in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 04, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.

Actor Timothée Chalamet looks on during the second quarter of a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026, in New York City.

American producer and activist Spike Lee reacts during the first quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden.

American producer and activist Spike Lee talks to New York Mets injured shortstop Francisco Lindor during the first quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden.

The San Antonio Spurs Coyote performs during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Frost Bank Center.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs looks on in the second half of the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit Pistons dancers perform during a time out in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena.

Moondog performs during the first quarter of game seven between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

Steve Schirripa looks on during the second quarter of a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026, in New York City.

A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Dance Team performs during a time out in the second half of game seven in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

New York Knicks fan Spike Lee celebrates with guard Miles McBride after a victory over the Atlanta Hawks during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena.

Philadelphia 76ers managing partner Josh and Marjorie Harris pose for a photo with the mascot after defeating the Boston Celtics 106-93 in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 30, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A Houston Rockets fan poses prior to Game Six against the Los Angeles Lakers in the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 01, 2026, in Houston, Texas.

Daniel Caesar attends Game Six between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors in the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 01, 2026, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Houston Rockets cheerleader performs during a timeout against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter of game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe signs the jersey of 12-year-old Kallie McKenna before game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center.

Toronto Maple Leafs Matthew Knies (C) attends Game Six between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 01, 2026, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Orlando Magic mascot Stuff getting the crowd into it in the fourth quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Kia Center.

Orlando Magic dancer during a timeout in the fourth quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Kia Center.

Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin attend game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.

Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, and Ben Stiller attend Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 28, 2026, in New York City.

Filmmaker and New York Knicks fan Spike Lee in the stands against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on April 30, 2026.

A young fan enters the arena seating before a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 30, 2026 in Philadelphia.

Cleveland Cavaliers cheerleaders perform before game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.

GloRilla dances after Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs between the Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena on April 26, 2026, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Cleveland Cavaliers mascot Moondog interacts with fans before game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.

Houston Rockets dancers perform during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026.

American rapper Common and singer Jennifer Hudson sit courtside during Game 5 of the playoff series between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 26, 2026.

Timothee Chalamet and Ben Stiller reacts during the second quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden.

Toronto Fans cheer on their team during Game 4 of the NBA first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena on April 26, 2026.

A young San Antonio Spurs fan holds up a sign before Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center on April 28, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.

Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates with fans against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn.

The Minnesota Timberwolves dancers perform before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Target Center on April 25, 2026.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) and Crunch, the Minnesota Timberwolves mascot, warm up before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Target Center on April 25, 2026.

Philadelphia Eagles 1st round draft pick Makai Lemon prepares to ring the bell during pregame ceremony before game against the Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The Toronto Raptors dance team performs during a break in the action against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena.

Rapper T.I. looks on during the fourth quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

NBA player Chris Paul talks to former player Grant Hill during a game between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks in the second quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena.

Comedian D.C. Young Fly reacts after the Atlanta Hawks 109-108 win over the New York Knicks in game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta Hawks cheerleader performs before a game against the New York Knicks during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena.

Rapper and producer Quavo watches a game between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks in the second quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena.

Rapper and entertainer Pastor Troy performs during a game between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks in the second quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena.

Toronto Raptors fans cheer in the area known as Jurassic Park outside of Scotiabank Arena before game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

A member of the Boston Celtics dance team performs during a time out in the first half of a game two against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 21, 2026.

Actor Timothee Chalamet claps in his court side seat during the first quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 20, 2026.

Denver Nuggets fans cheer in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 20, 2026.

Denver Nuggets dancers perform in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 20, 2026.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife Kelly attend game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.

Actor Will Ferrell attends game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.

Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.

Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe sits next to producer Jeffrey Katzenberg during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.

Denver Nuggets fan dressed as DC comic the Joker during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 20, 2026.

American producer and activist Spike Lee reacts from his courtside seat during Game 2 of the first-round playoff series between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 20, 2026.

American Olympic gymnast Suni Lee sits courtside during Game 2 of the first-round playoff series between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 20, 2026.

San Antonio Spurs fan wears an alien on her stomach during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center in San Antonia on April 19, 2026.

Los Angeles Lakers girls cheerleaders perform during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.

Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs his autograph for fans before the start of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center.

Detroit Pistons Dance team performs while playing the Orlando Magic during game one of the first round of the eastern conference playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on April 19, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan.

Fans react court side after a basket by the New York Knicks during the first half of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden.

A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

Los Angeles Lakers girls cheerleaders perform against the Houston Rockets during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, at Crypto.com Arena.

A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.

Here are takeaways from Game 5 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons:

The Cavaliers, frankly, got lucky with all their turnovers

In some ways, this is a game the Cavaliers shouldn’t have won. Their star players, Harden and Mitchell, combined to shoot just 38.5%. They faced a 15-point deficit in the second quarter. But more concerning were 17 turnovers, many of them inexcusable.

The Cavaliers were far too casual with their ball security, floating lazy passes across the court and telegraphing them at times. That allowed Detroit to turn those giveaways into 27 points, and it’s also why the Pistons claimed a 23-7 edge in fast-break points.

The Cavaliers were better in the second half, but that careless offense can completely sabotage a team’s chance of winning. Cleveland should consider itself fortunate, because if the Cavs move on to the conference finals, the Knicks won’t let them off easy.

The Detroit Pistons are far too dependent on Cade Cunningham

It was another banger for Cunningham, Detroit’s unquestioned star. Cunningham scored 39 points on 13-of-27 shooting, adding 9 assists and 7 rebounds. Yet, once again, the Pistons wasted a marvelous game from Cunningham because his supporting cast has not been able to contribute sufficiently.

Daniss Jenkins, making his first career postseason start, did score 19 in a solid 8-of-17 night, even though he struggled from 3-point range (2-of-8). But Tobias Harris (13 points) and Jalen Duren (9 points and 5 rebounds) struggled. This is becoming thematic for the Pistons.

As long as they look to Cunningham to be their savior — particularly in the clutch, when teams can play a little more physically and throw double-teams at him — Detroit will struggle to advance deep into the playoffs.

Cunningham is stellar, one of the top 10 basketball players in the world. But the pressure and responsibility placed on his shoulders is unsustainable, and it also leads to unforced errors; his 6 turnovers Wednesday night — including a debilitating one late in overtime — are an issue he needs to fix.

Game 6 can end a lot of narratives

Donovan Mitchell has had some massive playoff games in his career, but his teams have never broken through the conference semifinal round. James Harden, despite a handful of big postseason performances across his 185 career playoff games, has a reputation — one that’s unfair, frankly — of shrinking when it matters most.

But if Cleveland can defend homecourt Friday, May 15 to get Cleveland through to the Eastern Conference finals, Mitchell and Harden will have the chance to reframe those narratives.

There have been times this series when both have struggled somewhat. Yet, when Cleveland has needed clutch buckets, it has been both Mitchell and Harden to deliver.

The Pistons, who are 1-4 this postseason on the road, will be playing desperate, so the Cavaliers will need to be prepared and ruthless. Look for Mitchell and Harden to try to set the tone.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA playoff takeaways from Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 5

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