dailyloe.com – CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers achieved a critical victory against the Detroit Pistons, winning 116-109 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Key plays by James Harden and Max Strus in the final three minutes helped Cleveland narrow the series gap to 2-1.
Harden scored three decisive points, while Strus contributed with a steal and a layup to take the lead. Coach Kenny Atkinson emphasized the importance of this win, stating, “We know how important it is to get this first win to keep the series going. It was really a team win with many guys contributing tonight.”
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 35 points and 10 rebounds. Harden finished with 19 points, while Jarrett Allen added 18. The game saw 11 lead changes, the last occurring with 2:28 left when Strus intercepted a pass near midcourt.
Strus drove past Cade Cunningham and Daniss Jenkins to score a layup, giving the Cavaliers a 106-104 lead. Harden noted this was a pivotal moment, stating, “That changed the game right there. We got a couple of stops and a couple of baskets, and that was the key.”
Strus described the key play, mentioning he timed his jump perfectly during the pass. “My job is to help win in any way possible,” he said, contributing seven points, five rebounds, and a steal. He added, “Some nights it’s about scoring, some nights it’s about defending. I just want to make an impact and help the team win.”
Cunningham recorded his second playoff triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists but struggled with ball control, committing eight turnovers. He remarked, “I don’t want to say they were careless turnovers because I care a lot. They were just bad turnovers.”
The Cavaliers will aim to even the series on Monday when they host Game 4.
