DETROIT (Interstat) — James Harden scored a playoff-best 30 points and Donovan Mitchell added 21 as the Cleveland Cavaliers erased a nine-point deficit in the final minutes of regulation and defeated the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The game, played before 20,062 at Little Caesars Arena, saw the Pistons build a 15-point lead in the first half and appear in control with a 103-94 advantage with just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But Cleveland mounted a furious rally, scoring nine straight points to tie the game at 103 on two free throws by Evan Mobley with 45.2 seconds left. The Cavaliers then held Detroit scoreless for a stretch that spanned the end of regulation and the first three minutes of overtime, taking their first lead since early in the second quarter.

Harden, who had 30 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks in 43 minutes, keyed the comeback with a series of clutch plays. He scored or assisted on 10 of Cleveland’s 14 points in overtime, including a 3-pointer by Mitchell that put the Cavaliers ahead by seven with 2:39 left. Harden also came up with a critical block on Paul Reed’s driving layup with 1:11 remaining in overtime, preserving the lead.

Mitchell, who played 42 minutes, finished with 21 points, four rebounds and three assists. Mobley contributed 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists with three blocks, while Max Strus added 20 points and eight rebounds. Jarrett Allen posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, adding two blocks.

For Detroit, Cade Cunningham led all scorers with 39 points on 14-of-28 shooting, adding seven rebounds and nine assists in 48 minutes. Daniss Jenkins scored 19 points and Ausar Thompson had six points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Paul Reed came off the bench for 10 points and eight rebounds in 17 minutes, and Jalen Duren added nine points and five rebounds.

The Pistons shot 42 of 95 from the field and 11 of 33 from 3-point range, while the Cavaliers made 36 of 80 field goals and 14 of 35 from beyond the arc. Cleveland was 31 of 38 from the free-throw line, compared to Detroit’s 18 of 20. The Cavaliers forced 16 turnovers while committing 10, and they blocked nine shots to Detroit’s 10. The Pistons held a 15-13 edge in offensive rebounds.

The game was tight from the start, with Detroit taking a 29-27 lead after the first quarter behind eight points from Cunningham. The Pistons expanded their advantage in the second, outscoring Cleveland 31-25 to take a 60-52 lead into halftime. Cunningham had 17 points by the break, and Jenkins added 11.

Cleveland responded in the third quarter, using a 32-20 outburst to take an 84-80 lead into the fourth. Harden scored 10 points in the period, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Strus added two more from deep. Mobley also connected from 3-point range as the Cavaliers found their rhythm.

The Pistons regained control in the fourth, opening the period with a 7-0 run to jump back in front. Cunningham scored 14 points in the quarter, and Jenkins added five as Detroit built its largest lead of the second half at 103-94 with 2:07 left. But the Cavaliers’ defense stiffened, and Mobley scored six straight points to cut the deficit to three. After a missed 3-pointer by Tobias Harris, Mobley was fouled and made both free throws to tie the game.

Both teams had chances to win in regulation. Cunningham missed a step-back jumper with 35.9 seconds left, and after a Detroit offensive rebound, Caris LeVert missed a fadeaway, leading to a shot-clock violation. Cleveland had the ball with 0.4 seconds left, but Mitchell’s driving floater was blocked by Ausar Thompson, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra period, Allen scored on a tip-in to give Cleveland the lead, and Mitchell followed with a floater. After Reed made two free throws for Detroit, Mitchell’s 3-pointer from the left wing made it 110-105 with 2:39 left. Reed scored inside to cut the margin to three, but Harden made a free throw and Mobley added two more from the line to push the lead back to six. Jenkins’ jumper with 1:48 left brought Detroit within two, but Harden made one of two free throws with 1:26 remaining. After a block by Harden on Reed, Harden turned the ball over, giving Detroit a chance. LeVert missed a 3-pointer, and Harden missed a floater, but Cunningham grabbed the rebound and called timeout with 28.7 seconds left.

Cunningham then hit a pull-up jumper to tie the game at 111 with 25.9 seconds remaining. Harden was fouled and made one of two free throws with 24.4 seconds left, but the Cavaliers grabbed the offensive rebound. Harden was fouled again and made one of two, giving Cleveland a 113-111 lead with 18.8 seconds left. Detroit’s Tobias Harris missed a running 3-pointer, and Cunningham grabbed the offensive rebound. Jenkins missed a 3-pointer, and Mobley secured the rebound. Mobley was fouled and made both free throws with 3.4 seconds left, making it 115-111. Reed dunked with 0.7 seconds left to cut the lead to two, but Harden made two more free throws to seal the victory.

Harden’s performance continued his strong series after averaging 22.5 points in the first four games. He had 24 points and 11 assists in Game 4, 19 points and seven assists in Game 3, 10 points in Game 2 and 22 points in Game 1. The Cavaliers improved to 59-35 overall, while the Pistons fell to 66-28.

The series now shifts back to Cleveland for Game 6 on Friday, with Game 7 scheduled for Sunday if necessary.

A pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator had forecast a final score of Detroit 118, Cleveland 106. The ELO system gave Detroit a 69.2 percent chance to win. The Pistons were installed as a 3.5-point favorite, and the total score of 230 went under the over-under line of 212.5.