Cavaliers tie series 2-2 with 112-103 win

BY KEN KRIZNER

STAFF

(CLEVELAND, OH) - Prior to Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round playoffs, Cleveland Head Coach Kenny Atkinson was asked about Donvan Mitchell. Specifically, what Toronto and Detroit were doing to slow the Cavaliers all-star down during the playoffs.

Atkinson did not hesitate in his answer. There was no concern, he said, because it’s always only a matter of time before Mitchell gets going.

In Monday night’s Game 4 battle between the Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons, it took Mitchell 24 minutes to get going. But once he did, Detroit was powerless to stop him.

Mitchell scored 39 of his 43 points in the second half, including 14 in the first six minutes of the third period to spark a 23-0 Cleveland run, giving the Cavaliers control of the game enroute to a 112-103 victory to even the Best of Seven series at 2 games apiece.

Mitchell’s 39 second half points tied the record for most points in a half of a playoff game, equaling Eric “Sleepy” Floyd’s mark for Seattle during the 1987 playoffs.

With the home team winning each of the first four games, this series has become a best of three. But for the Cavaliers to advance to the Eastern Conference finals, they will have to do something they have been unable to do so far in the 2026 playoffs: win on the road (0-5). Game 5 is set for Little Caesars Arena Wednesday night at a time to be determined. Game 6 will be back at Rocket Arena on Friday. Game 7, if necessary, would be Sunday in Detroit.

Mitchell led the way. But he got help from James Harden, who recorded his 40th playoff double-double with 24 points and 11 assist. Evan Mobley filled the stat sheet with 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists, five blocked shots and three steals.

Former Cavalier Caris LeVert led Detroit with 24 points, including 17 in the first half. But Cleveland was able to control Cade Cunningham, who finished with 19 points on 7-16 shooting and committed five turnovers under relentless pressure.

At the outset of the third period, Mitchell set the tone immediately, scoring the first five points to give Cleveland a 57-56 lead, a lead it would never relinquish.

By the time Paul Reed scored Detroit’s first points of the second half more than 6 minutes into the third period, the Cavaliers had a 75-58 lead.

Harden added to the run with a three pointer from 25 feet, created off a Mobley steal, and Mobley himself contributed with defensive playmaking, including a steal and outstanding interior defense to help create transition opportunities for the Cavaliers.

Cleveland’s defense forced turnovers, contested every jump shot and controlled the glass, leaving Detroit unable to answer. Pistons Head Coach J.B. . Bickerstaff was forced to call two timeouts in a futile effort to blunt the Cavaliers run.

Prior the third period, Game 4 was a back-and-forth affair, with each team making runs. There were nine lead changes and three ties in the first half as the Pistons built a 56-52 halftime lead.

Mitchell was mostly a bystander during the first half, leaving Harden in command of the offense.

Cleveland opened the game with sharp passing and tight defense, jumping ahead 16–5 behind Harden’s hot start from deep, hitting three early three-pointers. Mobley and Jarrett Allen added interior pressure, drawing fouls on Ausar Thompson and forcing Detroit into an early timeout about four minutes into the quarter.

But as has been the case during the series, Detroit was ready with an answer. And it was LeVert who got the Pistons going. Coming in for Thompson after his second foul, LeVert scored seven quick points and Detroit’s trademark defensive pressure started forcing Cleveland turnovers. The Pistons end the first period on a 19-8 run to take a 24-21 lead.

LeVert continued his hot shooting to start the second period, combining with Cunningham and Tobias Harris to power the Pistons, although Max Strus’ defensive pressure helped keep Cleveland within striking distance. Sam Merrill came off the bench to hit two three-pointers as both teams traded runs.

Mitchell hit his first shot, a three-pointer, with less than 3 minutes left in the first half and Mobley added a short jumper to bring the Cavaliers to within four points at halftime.

When Harris hit a jumper with two minutes left in the half, Detroit would have a 56-50 lead. It would be Detroit’s last points for more than 8 basketball minutes.

Even after Detroit broke Cleveland’s third period run, the Cavaliers continued to apply pressure. Mitchell added a 14-foot turnaround jumper, and Allen blocked Daniss Jenkins’ attempt on the Pistons’ next possession, reinforcing the Cavaliers’ physical dominance in the period, maybe for the first time during the entire series.

By the end of the third period, Cleveland had completely seized control of the game, outscoring Detroit 38-21 for a 90-77 lead going into the fourth period.

While the Pistons did try to make runs to cut into their deficit during the fourth period, they were answered by the Cavaliers, a turnabout from earlier games in the series.

The fourth period opened with Cleveland maintaining the momentum. Mitchell continued his historic second half performance by adding free throws and attacking the basket to keep the Cavaliers firmly in control.

The Pistons attempted to rally behind Cunningham, LeVert and Harris, generating mid range looks and attacking the paint, but Cleveland repeatedly answered. Mitchell converted a driving floater and running layup to counter the Detroit push and keeping the Cavaliers’ lead in double digits when Detroit threatened.

Detroit’s best stretch came midway through the period when consecutive Cavaliers turnovers allowed the Pistons to trim the deficit to eight, prompting Cleveland to call time out and reinsert Mitchell, Harden and Mobley into the game. Once they returned, the Cavaliers stopped any further Pistons efforts to get any from getting any closer.

The question now for the Cavaliers is whether they can duplicate the dominant offensive and defensive effort of Monday’s second half on the road, something they have not been able to do so far this playoff season. The answer will come Wednesday night.

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POSTED 05/12/2026 00:39

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