Pistons cavalier, lose to Cavs

Cleveland 117, Detroit 113 (OT)

Cavaliers lead series, 3-2

The take from on high would be to admonish the Pistons for losing edge at home. Letting the road team stay within slugging distance even with the closer on the mound, a final three outs featuring Basketball Paul Reed.

The Pistons didn't blow Cleveland out of the shared lake in Game 5, allowing doubt in the home team and confidence for the visitors. Pistons' fault, with zero excuse letting a road team finish regulation on a 9-0 run, blowing it in overtime, missing chance after chance to put Cleveland on the ropes.

But credit Cleveland for staying slick with the footwork, keeping away from the edge of the ring. Refusing to be cornered, let alone roped into any of Detroit's old tricks.

Pistons went for knockouts in Game 5 and nearly delivered, but the Cavs were up to bounce. Six turnovers for Cleveland in the Game 5's first ten minutes. Detroit swingman Duncan Robinson sat with a sproingy lower back but replacement Daniss Jenkins refused to stand to the side, good, Jenkins' extra playmaking gave Cleveland fits to begin.

Paul, playing in place of the still-disappointing Jalen Duren, finished the contest. Reed's offensive rebound gave Detroit what should have been its masterstroke, a kickout to a steaming Tobias Harris for a corner three, home team up nine points with three minutes to go. The three hit yet the Pistons fell. Were given reprieve, overtime, still fell.

Now Detroit has to go and do the thing it did exactly two weeks ago, with 48 minutes to save what started in September.