James Harden proved why he’s one of the most clutch players in NBA history, scoring seven key points in the final 90 seconds of the fourth quarter to propel the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 116-109 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. With the win, the Cavaliers cut Detroit’s series lead to 2-1, keeping their championship aspirations alive.
Harden, who had struggled in the first two games of the series with a shooting percentage of just 32% — including 1-of-11 from beyond the arc — responded when his team needed him most. He finished Game 3 with 19 points, seven assists, and a game-winning performance that silenced his critics. Over the first two games, Harden had committed more turnovers (11) than field goals (nine), but he redeemed himself in the clutch moments when it mattered.
Cleveland’s superstar Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 35 points but made sure to defer to Harden down the stretch. The duo combined to outscore Detroit 10-5 in the final 1:29 of the game, with Harden sinking a step-back jumper, a floater, and a crucial 25-foot step-back three-pointer to seal the victory.
“Because he’s James Harden,” Mitchell said after the game. “I am who I am. He is who he is, but that’s what makes us so dynamic. You can choose.”
The Pistons, who had erased a 16-point halftime deficit to push the game to a tight finish, had been excellent in clutch situations this postseason, with four clutch wins under their belt. But Harden’s performance in the final minute overwhelmed Detroit’s attempts at a comeback.
“It’s the James Harden I’ve seen for how many years he’s been in the NBA,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. “That’s the James we know. We needed it tonight. It was the variety of his repertoire that was impressive.”
In a losing effort, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham posted a 27-point triple-double, showing his all-around skills. Despite his performance, the Pistons couldn’t capitalize on their momentum in the final moments.
Reflecting on his performance, Harden acknowledged the noise surrounding his game, saying, “I didn’t average 30 points in the regular season; you know what I mean? I’m literally here to find my spots, figure out what needs to be done and try to contribute in the best way possible. Chatter is going to be chatter regardless. Whether you do something good, whether you do something bad. For me, still, you give me opportunities in this fourth quarter, and I take advantage of them.”
Harden also emphasized his understanding of his role as he ages in the league. “I’ve done an unbelievable job throughout the course of my career of just understanding what the job needs to be, especially as I get older and doing whatever it takes to win the game. That’s the most important thing.”
Looking ahead to Game 4, the Cavaliers are -3.5 point favorites, while the Pistons remain -245 favorites to win the series, giving them an implied probability of about 71% to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
