Cavaliers Vs Pistons: Pistons win in OT after botched intentional foul with 5 seconds left
The cavaliers vs pistons game ended in chaotic fashion: a botched intentional foul with 5 seconds left sent Daniss Jenkins to the line for three free throws, all made, and the Detroit Pistons pulled out a 122-119 overtime victory that bolstered their league-best record. The result tightened the gap atop the Eastern Conference picture and left Cleveland trailing in the standings.
Cavaliers Vs Pistons: the foul that forced overtime
Cleveland was up by three with less than 10 seconds left in regulation and chose to intentionally foul rather than risk a game-tying buzzer-beater. Jaylon Tyson bore down on Daniss Jenkins as Jenkins brought the ball up; Jenkins anticipated the contact and began his shooting motion at midcourt, drawing a shooting foul and three free throws. Jenkins made all three free throws, sending the contest to overtime after what the game log identified as a botched intentional foul with 5 seconds left.
Early tempo and missing stars shaped the first half
With Donovan Mitchell and James Harden out of the lineup, Cleveland still opened the game strong, building a 35-27 first-quarter lead behind 10 points from Jarrett Allen. Detroit ground its way back and trailed 54-50 at halftime. The third quarter closed with the Pistons ahead 85-84, a margin aided by 10 points from Ausar Thompson; that stretch also included a 12-minute delay when the scoreboard horn malfunctioned and wouldn't stop blaring.
Fourth-quarter swings, fouls and late free throws
Detroit extended its lead to 89-84 early in the fourth, but Cleveland answered as Evan Mobley hit a 3 and Tyrese Proctor followed with a layup to knot the score. Two baskets by Thomas Bryant put Cleveland up 93-89, and the Cavs looked to take control with a 98-91 advantage midway through the quarter. Cleveland led 105-96 with 3: 31 remaining, then saw Cade Cunningham foul out with 1: 56 left. The Pistons chipped away: two Jalen Duran free throws made it 110-109 with 48. 4 seconds remaining, and Dennis Schröder followed with a layup that restored a three-point cushion for Cleveland.
Final possessions before overtime
With 27. 7 seconds left Detroit failed to get the tying 3, but Duren dunked on an offensive rebound after Jenkins missed from long range. Detroit then fouled Craig Porter Jr. on the inbounds pass; Porter Jr. missed one of two free throws. Mobley grabbed the rebound and was fouled, but he made only one free throw to push Cleveland ahead 114-111 and set the stage for Tyson's late half-court foul on Jenkins.
Overtime sequence, player numbers, standings and the schedule
In overtime Detroit built a six-point cushion behind four points from Duren. After a 3 from Tyson and a layup by Schröder, Tobias Harris hit a short jumper to give the Pistons 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 a 122-119 victory.
Stat lines were notable: Duren scored 33 points to tie a career high, adding 16 rebounds and 3 blocks. Cade Cunningham finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, helping Detroit improve to 44-14 and maintain the best record in the NBA. Cleveland dropped to 37-24 despite 25 points from Jarrett Allen, 23 from Evan Mobley and 20 from Sam Merrill. The standings now show Cleveland 8. 5 games behind Detroit while holding the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Pistons are scheduled to face the Orlando Magic on Sunday, and the Cavaliers visit the Brooklyn Nets; the two teams then meet again on Tuesday in Cleveland.
