The NBA playoffs second round Game 4 saw the Detroit Pistons visiting the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers had suffered five straight road losses this postseason, but their home form was a different story. After securing a win in Game 3, Cleveland extended their home winning streak to nine games, averaging a 10.7-point margin of victory. In Game 4, both head coaches stuck with their starting lineups: the Cavaliers started Harden, Mitchell, Allen, Mobley, and Wade, while the Pistons countered with Cunningham, Duren, Harris, Ausar, and Robinson.
Harden came out firing, scoring 11 points in the opening quarter to help the Cavaliers build a double-digit lead early. However, during the rotation period, Cleveland’s offense stalled. Levert of the Pistons scored eight consecutive points against his former team, sparking a 19-5 run that gave Detroit the lead. The second quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with the Pistons holding a four-point advantage at halftime. The game shifted dramatically in the third quarter as Mitchell erupted, leading the Cavaliers on a 22-0 run to blow the game open. Reed chipped in with consecutive buckets to stem the tide, but Cleveland maintained control. In the fourth quarter, Mitchell continued his hot shooting, stretching the lead to over 20 points. Despite a late push from the Pistons, they fell 112-103.
Turnovers played a pivotal role in the series, as both teams rely on ball-dominant stars. The Pistons struggled early, with Cunningham committing five turnovers, Duren four, and Ausar four, totaling 18 team turnovers. In contrast, the Cavaliers had only 13, led by Mitchell’s single turnover and Harden’s two. Cleveland capitalized on 25 points off turnovers compared to Detroit’s 20. The Pistons’ young squad looked outmatched against the veteran Cavaliers, and without Levert’s 24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and zero turnovers off the bench, the defeat could have been even worse.
The Cavaliers gained the upper hand thanks to Harden. After closing out Game 3 with seven clutch points in the final minute, Harden carried that momentum into Game 4, hitting three three-pointers in the first quarter for 11 points, resembling his prime Houston days. He drew defensive attention and dished out assists, while also holding his own on defense. Harden finished with 24 points, 11 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block in 37 minutes, shooting 5-of-14 from the field (5-of-9 from deep) and 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. This marked his 25th career playoff game with at least 20 points and 10 assists, ranking sixth all-time. Additionally, his postseason steals total reached 303, passing Jason Kidd (302) for seventh in NBA history.
While Harden set the tone, Mitchell changed the game’s trajectory. After a slow start (1-of-8 in the first half for 4 points), Mitchell exploded in the second half. He scored 21 points in the third quarter, sparking the 22-0 run, and then poured in 17 of Cleveland’s first 19 points in the fourth quarter, sealing the win with clutch free throws. Mitchell finished with 43 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal on 13-of-26 shooting (4-of-12 from three, 13-of-15 from the line), posting a +28 plus-minus. He became the fifth player in NBA history to record five playoff games with 20+ points in a single quarter, tying Stephen Curry and Jamal Murray for first. His 39 points in the second half set a Cavaliers franchise record for most points in a playoff half and matched the all-time NBA record set by Sleepy Floyd in 1987. Mitchell also recorded his fourth 40-point playoff game as a Cavalier, surpassing Kyrie Irving (3) for second in team history behind LeBron James (24). With eight career 40-point playoff outings, he ties Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry, and Devin Booker for fifth among active players.
The series is now tied at 2-2, with the Cavaliers and Pistons heading to a pivotal Game 5. Momentum favors Cleveland, as Harden embraces a supporting role and Mitchell dominates offensively. This backcourt duo represents the Cavaliers’ best path to a championship. For the Pistons, Duren has struggled throughout the playoffs, Harris saw his streak of eight straight 20-point games snapped, and Robinson has been exposed defensively. Cunningham faces an uphill battle without enough help. The Cavaliers have adapted to Detroit’s physicality, and Mitchell’s three consecutive 30-point performances make him unstoppable. Harden needs only to manage turnovers and play composed basketball to guide Cleveland. Which team will prevail in Game 5?