Momentum has swung sharply in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and suddenly the pressure has shifted back to the Detroit Pistons.
After dropping the first two games of the series on the road, the Cleveland Cavaliers have stormed back to even the best-of-seven matchup at two games apiece entering Game 5 on Wednesday night in Detroit, fueled by dominant second halves, suffocating defense and a takeover performance from Donovan Mitchell.
“It’s just a different story 2-2,” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Game 5 is gonna be tough, and it’s in their place, but I think we made a stand winning these two games. So that gives you confidence.
“As difficult as we know it’s going to be there, it’s a little different playing at home that Game 5, 3-1 and 2-2, a lot different. But we obviously gained some confidence with these two wins, and I think we figured some stuff out, especially offensively and defensively. That gives us confidence going in.”
The Cavaliers have yet to win a road game in these playoffs (0-5).
Mitchell overwhelmed Detroit in Monday’s 112-103 victory, scoring 21 points in the third quarter alone, matching the Pistons’ entire team output in the period. Cleveland opened the second half on a 22-0 run that effectively ended the game before Detroit could respond.
By the end of the night, Mitchell had piled up 39 of his 43 points in the second half while repeatedly attacking the paint and creating space against every defender the Pistons tried.
In a series increasingly defined by star power, Mitchell has seized control over the past two games while Detroit’s Cade Cunningham has struggled to find consistent answers against Cleveland’s length and defensive pressure.
The Cavaliers also appear to have found their defensive identity again behind Evan Mobley, who finished with five blocks and three steals while helping neutralize Detroit center Jalen Duren, who has struggled to establish an offensive rhythm throughout much of the postseason.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the team still has confidence that it can regain control of the series.
“I think we learned from the Orlando series what it’s like to be down and the amount of urgency you have to play with, but now you’re on the other side of it,” Bickerstaff said. “So now you’re learning how you have to slow that opponent who’s playing with that type of urgency. These are great experiences for us.
“The best part about it is it’s now a three-game series, and we got two of them in Detroit. So, we got to make sure we go home and take care of our business.”
Detroit’s physicality and energy overwhelmed the Cavaliers during the opening two games, but the series has looked dramatically different since shifting to Cleveland. The Cavaliers have controlled the tempo, limited transition opportunities and turned defensive stops into quick scoring bursts.
Turnovers and foul trouble have also plagued the Pistons. In the last two games, they’ve committed 36 turnovers and been called for 52 fouls.
The question now is whether Detroit can rediscover the edge it held early in the matchup before Cleveland’s stars took over.
That challenge may become even more difficult if the Pistons are without starting guard Duncan Robinson, who was added to the injury report Tuesday with lower back soreness. Robinson joined Caris LeVert (heel contusion) and Kevin Huerter (strained abductor) on the report. LeVert had 24 points in Game 4.
The Pistons still have home court and have proven capable of dictating the series with their physical defense and rebounding. But after being thoroughly dominated in the second half of Game 4, Detroit enters Game 5 searching for answers against a Cleveland team that suddenly looks far more comfortable and confident.
