Cavaliers Vs Pistons: Botched intentional foul, blaring horn and an OT escape
The cavaliers vs pistons matchup ended in overtime after a late intentional-foul attempt by Cleveland backfired, sending the game to extra time where Detroit won 122-119. The game featured a scoreboard horn that malfunctioned for 12 minutes, several late free-throw sequences and big nights from Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham.
Cavaliers Vs Pistons: Botched intentional foul sends game to overtime
With the Cavaliers up by three and fewer than 10 seconds remaining in regulation, Cleveland chose to intentionally foul rather than risk a game-tying buzzer-beater. Jaylon Tyson fouled Daniss Jenkins as Jenkins brought the ball up the floor. Jenkins anticipated the contact, began his shooting motion at midcourt and drew a shooting foul that awarded him three free throws. Jenkins made all three free throws and the game went to overtime, where the Pistons prevailed 122-119.
Late regulation: Duren, Craig Porter Jr. and Mobley set the stage
Cleveland had led 105-96 with 3: 31 remaining in regulation, and Cade Cunningham fouled out with 1: 56 left. The Pistons chipped away to make it 110-109 on two Jalen Duran free throws with 48. 4 seconds remaining. Dennis Schröder followed with a layup to give Cleveland a three-point lead. With 27. 7 seconds left, Detroit failed to get a tying 3, but Duren dunked an offensive rebound after Jenkins missed from long range. Detroit then fouled Craig Porter Jr. on the inbounds pass; Porter missed one of two free throws. Evan Mobley grabbed the rebound, was fouled and made only one free throw to put the Cavaliers up 114-111, setting up Tyson’s foul on Jenkins at half court.
Overtime sequence and key plays: Duren, Tyson, Schröder and Harris
In overtime, Detroit built a six-point edge behind four points from Duren. A 3 from Tyson and a layup by Schröder extended the Pistons’ advantage, and Tobias Harris hit a short jumper to give Detroit a three-point lead with 26. 7 seconds remaining. Sam Merrill and Evan Mobley each missed 3-pointers that would have tied the game, and Detroit escaped with the 122-119 victory.
Individual performances and standings: Duren’s career night and team records
Duren scored 33 points for the Pistons, tying a career high, and added 16 rebounds and 3 blocks. Cade Cunningham contributed 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, helping Detroit improve to 44-14 and the best record in the NBA. The Cavaliers dropped to 37-24 despite 25 points from Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley’s 23 points and Sam Merrill’s 20. Cleveland sits 8. 5 games behind Detroit and holds the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Early game flow and an unusual delay: Allen, Thompson and a blaring horn
Despite Donovan Mitchell and James Harden being out of the lineup, Cleveland opened with a 35-27 first-quarter lead sparked by 10 points from Jarrett Allen. Detroit closed the first half to make it 54-50 at intermission and ended the third quarter up 85-84 thanks to 10 points from Ausar Thompson. The third quarter also featured a 12-minute delay when the scoreboard horn malfunctioned and would not stop blaring. Early in the fourth, Detroit extended its lead to 89-84 before Cleveland rallied: Evan Mobley hit a 3, Tyrese Proctor added a layup, and two baskets by Thomas Bryant put Cleveland ahead 93-89; the Cavs later carried a 98-91 edge midway through the quarter.
What’s next: schedules and a quick rematch
Detroit is scheduled to face the Orlando Magic on Sunday. The Cavaliers will visit the Brooklyn Nets, and the two teams are set to meet again on Tuesday in Cleveland. A social post on February 28, 2026 noted the half-court foul sequence and Jenkins’ clutch free throws that forced overtime.
