Dealing with a 9-point deficit with beneath 3 minutes remaining in opposition to the Pistons, the Cavaliers stormed again to drive extra time and finally prevail on the highway in Sport 5.
It’s Sport 7 or Go Dwelling tonight, instances two.
The Cavs and Spurs can lock up the final two spots within the Convention Finals.
The Pistons and Wolves look to increase their seasons.
Learn on to prepare for Friday’s pair of Sport 6s.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
The Arduous Means: Uphill climb to collection’ lead has Cavs & Harden prepared for extra
Been Right here Earlier than: Down 3-2, Cade & the Pistons have the blueprint for one more 7-game save
One other Draft Gem: Spurs’ rookie Dylan Harper is popping heads this postseason
Past Heroics: The one group to beat the Spurs 4 instances this season, Ant’s Wolves should do it once more
Jamal Crawford’s Mailbag: The 20-year NBA vet solutions your Playoff questions on OKC, bench scoring and extra
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Tonight on Prime, the Cavs can advance to the Convention Finals in entrance of their house followers, whereas the Spurs try to do the identical in Minnesota.
NBA TV’s protection of the 2026 Draft Mix continues immediately at 3:30 ET. Get all the most recent information on the AWS Draft Combine Stats Hub.
1. AFTER UPHILL COMEBACK, HARDEN & HOST CAVS READY FOR ANYTHING IN GAME 6
The Convention Semis have marked the top of the road for the Cavs the previous two seasons.
However tonight (7 ET, Prime), internet hosting Sport 6, Cleveland has an opportunity to maneuver previous the East Semis for the primary time since 2018.
That’s thanks to a three-win turnaround within the collection after falling behind 0-2 — capped by a signature Sport 5 victory in Detroit. Each possession was valuable and nothing about it got here simple:
- Street Aid: Cleveland conquered its greatest hurdle of those Playoffs thus far on Wednesday, successful its first highway recreation since April 6 in Memphis
- Uncommon Rally: It did so in uncommon kind, as simply the fourth group within the final 11 postseasons to return again from a deficit of 9 factors or extra within the closing 3 minutes of regulation
- One Extra Wrinkle: Comeback full, Cleveland nonetheless confronted extra time on the house of the East’s high seed, a situation the group misplaced in on Feb. 27
Towards all these odds, the Cavs climbed the mountain for a 3-2 collection lead, and now go well with up again house the place they’re 6-0 in these Playoffs.
“Our guys are seasoned,” coach Kenny Atkinson mentioned after Sport 5.
- Dwelling Warmth: Cleveland joins the defending champion Thunder as the one groups nonetheless unbeaten at house this postseason, averaging 118 ppg (2nd), 51 FG% (2nd), 38.2 3P% (Third), 14 3PG (1st) and a 120.4 OffRtg (Third)
- On The Fly: This acquainted Cavs core, in its third straight East Semis collectively, is now embracing a brand new look with Harden – lower than 40 video games in — driving key sequences
- “James helps lots … Simply calm, on a regular basis,” Atkinson mentioned of Harden. “You by no means know in case you’re down 20, up 20.”
- “We gotta discover out who we’re within the moments, which is sweet for us,” mentioned Harden, who has 185 profession Playoff video games. “That is how we’re shaping our story.”
Harden despatched out a reminder of his big-game expertise within the Cavs’ three straight wins, as one of many essential components on this collection’ flip.
- Lifting The Land: Within the win streak, The Beard has posted 24.3 ppg, 8 apg and a +9.3 plus/minus, up from 16 ppg, 5 apg and a -11 within the opening losses
- Twin Motives: Harden appears to be like to return to the Convention Finals for the primary time since 2018 with Houston, whereas his backcourt mate goals for his first journey in his ninth attempt
- Spida’s Specialty: Mitchell, the Cavs’ star, will look to grab the prospect to clinch at house. And he’s no slouch in closeout conditions, averaging 31.4 ppg in his 5 profession clinching video games with Cleveland
2. BEHIND CADE & DETROIT’S BLUEPRINT FOR ANOTHER GAME 6 SAVE
Down 3-2, on the highway, going through elimination after a first-place season.
Formidable to most. Been-there, survived-that for Detroit.
The East’s No. 1 seed wants a win in Cleveland tonight to increase its historic season. Fortunate for them, they’ve a latest recipe for find out how to get it.
- The Final Time: On this similar situation in Spherical 1, the Pistons confronted a 24-point Third-quarter deficit, after totaling simply 38 factors within the 1st half
- What Flipped Then? The identical factor Detroit wants now: It’s East-leading protection. Motor Metropolis held Orlando to 19 2nd-half factors in that Sport 6, together with a stretch of 23 straight misses
- Protection First: It labored within the 1st half of Sport 5 in opposition to Cleveland as effectively, as Detroit’s D fed its offense with a 20-2 edge in factors off turnovers, and an 8-point lead
- “We simply gotta execute higher, and primarily on the defensive finish,” Daniss Jenkings mentioned, looking forward to Sport 6
Cunningham was additionally instrumental in Detroit’s final Sport 6 save, piling up 19 factors within the closing body with the season on the road. The Pistons want him to shine once more, however he can’t shine alone.
- Comply with The Chief: In three straight video games going through elimination within the First Spherical, Cade averaged 36.3 ppg on 51.6% taking pictures, with 5 boards and 6.7 assists
- “I made a number of errors tonight. The group, we made some errors,” Cunningham mentioned after Sport 5. “All these little issues damage, however you gotta be taught from it, and received to be higher for it.”
- X-Issue? Jenkins received his first Playoff begin in Sport 5, sharing the backcourt with Cunningham and offering his highest-scoring postseason outing with 19 factors. The pairing might present a lift once more tonight
- Distinction-Maker: Tobias Harris had rattled off eight straight video games of 20+ factors earlier than 16-and 13-point outings in Video games 4 and 5
- Duren Double-Up: After practically averaging one within the First Spherical (10.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg), Jalen Duren hasn’t logged a double-double on this collection since Sport 1 (11/12) — with the 2026 All-Star trying to escape tonight in opposition to Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen
Being the No. 1 seed hasn’t shielded Detroit from being examined, because the group has performed extra clutch video games (8, 4-4) than every other group in these Playoffs.
- New Nuggets? The Pistons might play their fourth and fifth elimination video games of this postseason, which might be essentially the most by the primary two rounds for the reason that 2020 Nuggets, who performed six in back-to-back 3-1 comebacks
3. SPURS’ HARPER FINDING HIS GROOVE ON GAME’S BIGGEST STAGE
Victor Wembanyama isn’t the one Playoff first-timer turning heads in San Antonio this Spring.
Rookie Dylan Harper’s standout postseason moments up to now have impressed each close to and much, from the Spurs’ Jackals and Manu Ginobili, to Jamal Crawford (see Part 5 ⬇️) and Reggie Miller.
Forward of tonight’s Sport 6 (9:30 ET, Prime), the place San Antonio goes for its second collection win of those Playoffs, The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II writes the Spurs’ youngest participant appears to be like as prepared for the second as any:
“If he performed for every other group within the league,” fellow Spurs rookie Carter Bryant mentioned, “he’d be beginning and possibly be successful the Rookie of the 12 months proper now…”
Harper belongs at this stage. Within the postseason, in high-stakes video games, in battles with the league’s elite. It’s seen in his calm. The sport has already slowed down sufficient for him to know when to hurry up. So he’s completely comfy getting the ball off one rim and stubbornly, however easily, ending on the different.
… He’s already watching opponents after dunks and flexing after placing again robust rebounds.
Harper exudes an unfazed aura on the courtroom. A readiness. An expectation. | Learn Extra
4. ANT’S WOLVES LOOK TO FIND NEW LEVEL TO FORCE GAME 7 VS. SPURS
Simply 9 days after hyperextending his left knee and bruising the bone, Anthony Edwards was again, including to his team-leading 21.3 ppg.
5 video games later, he’s helped push the No. 2-seeded Spurs’ (and their kids) younger group to a Sport 6 within the West Semifinals.
And but, he’s the one on the new seat tonight.
So, to increase their season to a Sport 7 and an opportunity to outlive and advance, Ant and his Wolves should go even additional past the highs and heroics they’ve already achieved.
- Extra Than 4: Attending to a Sport 7 would require the Wolves to beat the Spurs for the fifth time this season (regular-season included), and solely they know what a problem that’s
- Rival Standing: No different group has crushed San Antonio greater than 3 times this season, a gaggle that features the Thunder, who await the winner of this collection within the West Finals
Edwards has already proven what makes him elite all postseason. However historical past reveals there’s nonetheless one other stage he can go to along with his again in opposition to the wall.
- All Caught Up: Ant (21.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.8 apg) has scored a team-high 192 factors this postseason regardless of lacking two of 11 video games to harm
- Ant vs. Extermination: However in eight profession video games when going through elimination (4-4), Edwards is up at 26.5 ppg, 7 rpg and 5.6 apg
The Wolves may also look to their pair of star bigs, Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle, to seek out methods round Wemby’s affect.
Gobert, a four-time Kia DPOY award-winner, is out to neutralize the reigning DPOY and fellow Frenchman Wembanyama — whereas Randle goals to reestablish his function as offensive spark inside.
- Drives Dive: Randle leads the Wolves with 12 drives per recreation this postseason, however he’s seen his factors there drop from 8.2 ppg within the First Spherical to 4 ppg on this spherical
- “It’s clearly totally different once you received any person who’s 7-6 down there … He’s a distinct problem for certain,” Randle mentioned of Wemby
- Centerpiece: There’s no mistaking Randle’s significance to the Wolves’ success, as they’ve averaged 34.2 PITP with him on the ground in these Playoffs … and solely 16.4 whereas he’s off
- Main the group in complete assists (33), Randle has created 8.8 factors off his assists in Minnesota’s six wins. In 5 losses, that quantity drops to five.4
Randle will look to construct on the momentum of a 9-point 4th quarter final day out in Sport 5.
“He performed with drive, performed by contact… stayed on-balance a little bit bit higher,” coach Chris Finch famous.
5. JAMAL CRAWFORD’S MAILBAG: MUST-SEE PLAYOFF SCORERS AND MORE
Within the newest NBA Mailbag, 20-year NBA vet and NBC analyst Jamal Crawford solutions your questions on the playoffs, OKC’s 8-0 begin, scoring off the bench, and extra:
Who’re your favourite gamers to look at throughout these NBA playoffs? – from Cole in San Luis Obispo, CA
“All the plain guys – Anthony Edwards. Wemby, after all, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. SGA, Cade, LeBron.
For extra under-the-radar guys, I’ll go together with Dylan Harper and Ajay Mitchell.”
Are you stunned OKC began 8-0? Do you assume they are often the primary group to go 16-0? – from Tim in Denver, CO
“I’m not stunned they began 8-0. I believe they’re that good. In the event that they have been a boxer, they’d have so many alternative kinds.
In boxing phrases, you can say they shoot the jab, they’re nice defenders, they’ve a superb chin, they’re a knockout puncher, they’re technical, they’ve all the pieces that you really want in a group.
So, I’m not stunned they’re 8-0. However I don’t assume they’ll go 16-0.”
As a microwave scorer who typically got here off the bench, what was your particular routine or psychological trick to really feel heat and immediately efficient in your first minute on the courtroom? – from Kylon in Tampa, FL
“… One factor I considered a number of nights in the past with Naz Reid and the Wolves. While you come off the bench and your group is down, you get to be extra aggressive. Your group is already down, so that they’re searching for a bunch of offense instantly.
In case your group is up and also you are available, you don’t need to disrupt the circulation of what they’ve going, and also you simply play off of them. Then within the second quarter, you begin feeling extra comfy being aggressive.” | Learn Extra