James Harden "resurrects" and the Cavs manage to beat the Pistons

James Harden came through when the Cleveland Cavaliers needed it the most. After two underwhelming performances at the start of the series, the American star answered the call at the crucial moment and led Ohio's team to a vital 116-109 victory over the Detroit Pistons in the third game of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The veteran guard scored seven points in the final 90 seconds of the game and made three key baskets in the closing stretch to prevent Cleveland from being on the ropes. His performance enabled the Cavaliers to narrow the gap in the series and make it 2-1 after two defeats suffered in Detroit.

Harden finished the game with 19 points, seven assists, and just three turnovers, leaving behind the doubts that had arisen after his lackluster first games. In the second match, he had only scored 10 points with a poor 3 of 13 shooting from the field, while in the first two games combined, he was shooting at a 32% accuracy with a concerning 1 of 11 from beyond the arc.

“I love it,” stated Harden after the game. “When my moment comes, I just go to my spots. It's something I literally work on every day. It's all about repetition and the confidence to go out there and do it.”

The Cavaliers brought in Harden at the trade deadline precisely for nights like this. With his 17 seasons of experience and playoff presence every year of his career, Cleveland sought a steady hand to support Donovan Mitchell, who once again led the team offensively with 35 points.

Despite the criticisms Harden faced after the first two games, his teammates never stopped believing in him. Mitchell had already come to his defense after the second game and demonstrated it again in Saturday's outcome. Together, they scored 10 of the last 15 points for Cleveland in the final minute and a half.

“Because he's James Harden,” affirmed Mitchell. “I am who I am, and he is who he is, but that's what makes us so dynamic. Having full confidence in each other is what leads to these moments.”

Detroit managed to erase a 16-point deficit after halftime and pushed the game to a tight finish, a scenario where the Pistons had excelled during these playoffs. The Michigan team had four victories in games decided in the final minutes, the best mark of the postseason, whereas Cleveland had struggled particularly in those contexts.

With just 1:29 to play and the Cavaliers holding a mere three-point lead, Harden took complete control of the game. He first nailed a step-back jumper from mid-range to extend the lead. Then, in response to a basket by Cade Cunningham, he executed a floater in the paint. And when Detroit's star closed the gap with a deep three-pointer, Harden virtually sealed the game with one of his trademark moves: a step-back three-pointer from over seven meters with just 25 seconds left.

“That's the James Harden I've been seeing for many years in the NBA,” explained coach Kenny Atkinson. “That's the James we know. We needed him tonight. The impressive part was the variety of resources he displayed.”

Cunningham wrapped up the game with a 27-point triple-double, but not even his outstanding performance could halt Cleveland's comeback.

Doubts about Harden reemerged after his lackluster early series games, reigniting the debate about his historical struggles in the playoffs. Despite participating in the postseason in each of his 17 NBA seasons, he is still chasing his first championship ring.

Harden answers the critics

Nevertheless, the player himself made it clear that he won't waste time responding to criticisms. “I didn't average 30 points in the regular season, you know?” Harden commented. “I'm here to find my spots, understand what the team needs, and contribute in the best way possible. There will always be noise, whether you do something good or bad. But if you give me opportunities in the fourth quarter, I'll seize them.”

The veteran also highlighted how his game has evolved over the years. “I've done an incredible job throughout my career understanding what my role should be, especially now that I'm older, and doing whatever it takes to win. That's the most important thing.”