Cavaliers Vs Pistons: Pistons win 122-119 in OT after botched foul and 12-minute horn delay
The Detroit Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 122-119 in overtime after a botched intentional foul and a 12-minute scoreboard horn malfunction shaped the finish in a game between two of the East's top teams. The cavaliers vs pistons matchup swung on a halfcourt shooting foul, three clutch free throws and a tense extra period.
Early Cleveland push, then a Detroit halftime comeback
Even with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden out of the lineup, Cleveland opened strong, running out to a 35-27 lead in the first quarter behind 10 points from Jarrett Allen. Detroit eventually grinded through to take a 54-50 lead at halftime, turning the early Cavaliers edge into a close, competitive game at the break.
Third quarter edge and a 12-minute horn malfunction
Detroit closed the third quarter with an 85-84 lead, helped by 10 points from Ausar Thompson. The third quarter stretch included an unexpected interruption: a 12-minute delay when the scoreboard horn malfunctioned and wouldn't stop blaring, briefly halting the game's flow before play resumed.
Late regulation sequence that sent cavaliers vs pistons to overtime
Cleveland still looked to be in control late. The Cavaliers led 105-96 with 3: 31 remaining in regulation, and Detroit lost Cade Cunningham to fouling out with 1: 56 left. The Pistons chipped away, making it 110-109 on two Jalen Duran free throws with 48. 4 seconds to go. Dennis Schröder followed with a layup that gave Cleveland a three-point lead.
With 27. 7 seconds remaining the Pistons failed to connect on a tying 3, but Duren dunked on an offensive rebound after Daniss 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 one free throw to make it 114-111, setting up Jaylon Tyson's halfcourt foul on Jenkins.
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 game to overtime after a stunning late reversal.
Cavaliers Vs Pistons overtime, key plays and final stats
In overtime, Detroit went up by six behind four points from Duren. A 3 from Jaylon 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 a 122-119 victory.
Jalen Duren scored 33 for the Pistons, tying a career high, and added 16 rebounds and 3 blocks. Cade Cunningham finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, helping Detroit improve to 44-14. The Cavaliers dropped to 37-24 despite 25 points from Jarrett Allen, 23 from Evan Mobley and 20 from Sam Merrill. Cleveland sits 8. 5 games behind Detroit and holds the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Detroit faces the Orlando Magic on Sunday, while the Cavaliers visit the Brooklyn Nets; the teams then meet again Tuesday in Cleveland.
