The Cleveland Cavaliers evened their best-of-seven series against the Detroit Pistons at 2-2 with a thrilling 112-103 victory on the road in Game 4. After a shocking start where star guard Donovan Mitchell managed just 4 points on 1-of-8 shooting in the first half, he erupted for 39 points after halftime, matching a playoff record for the most points scored in a second half. Mitchell’s sensational performance, combined with a late 24-0 run, helped the Cavaliers overcome an early deficit and set up a pivotal Game 5.
Mitchell’s playoff scoring total with Cleveland now ranks third in franchise history, trailing only LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Meanwhile, James Harden reached a major milestone by becoming the 11th player in NBA history to score 4,100 playoff points, while also moving into eighth place on the all-time list for free throws made and seventh for steals.
In the first quarter, the Cavaliers jumped out to a 16-5 lead behind Harden’s hot shooting, but the Pistons responded with a strong run to take a 24-21 lead after the period. Mitchell went scoreless in the quarter. The Cavaliers’ struggles continued in the second quarter, as they shot just 25% from the field and fell behind 56-52 at halftime.
After intermission, Mitchell transformed into an unstoppable force. He scored 21 points in the third quarter alone, igniting a 24-0 run that turned a four-point deficit into a commanding 18-point lead. The Pistons fought back but could not regain control, as Mitchell continued to score and the Cavaliers’ defense held strong.
Mitchell finished with 43 points, while Harden contributed 24 points and 11 assists. Evan Mobley added 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks. For the Pistons, Cade Cunningham scored 19 points, and Jaden Ivey had 24 points off the bench.
The series now heads to Detroit for Game 5, with the winner taking a crucial 3-2 lead.