Anshari Taslim
In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a crucial home victory over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons, winning 116-109. This result narrowed Detroit’s series lead to 2-1, preventing the Cavaliers from falling into a daunting 3-0 deficit. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder extended their undefeated postseason run with a commanding 131-108 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers. The Thunder’s dominant performance puts them on the cusp of a sweep, with Game 4 scheduled for Monday.
Cavaliers’ Clutch Backcourt Delivers Under Pressure
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ victory was largely orchestrated by their dynamic backcourt, particularly a resurgent James Harden and the consistent scoring prowess of Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell led all scorers with 35 points, adding 10 rebounds to his stat line, but it was Harden who ultimately seized control in the game’s decisive moments.
Harden, a former MVP and perennial All-Star, has endured a challenging postseason, facing criticism for uncharacteristic struggles with efficiency, including recording more turnovers than made field goals in four separate games, notably in the first two contests of this series against Detroit. Despite a quiet start to Game 3, Harden’s veteran poise shone brightly in the fourth quarter. With the Cavaliers clinging to a narrow two-point lead, Harden initiated a pick-and-roll, drawing a switch that isolated him against Pistons forward Tobias Harris. Displaying a move that has become a staple of his latter-career repertoire, Harden calmly executed a stepback midrange jumper, reminiscent of his Houston Rockets days but now honed into a potent clutch weapon.
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Following a thunderous dunk by Pistons star Cade Cunningham, Harden again demonstrated his offensive cunning. Targeting Duncan Robinson, he unleashed a series of crossovers before floating a shot over the outstretched arm of center Jalen Duren, extending Cleveland’s lead. Cunningham, Detroit’s primary offensive engine, responded with a three-pointer, setting the stage for Harden’s most impactful play of the night. With just 25.9 seconds remaining and Cleveland ahead by a single point, Harden once more sought out Harris. After dancing with the ball and creating separation, he drilled a deep three-pointer directly in Harris’s face, effectively sealing the Cavaliers’ 116-109 victory and igniting the home crowd.
When questioned by NBC’s Ashley ShahAhmadi about silencing critics, Harden responded with a nonchalant, "What chatter? I play basketball, and whatever this team needs me to do, I’m going to go out there and do it. So letting the game play out. Fourth quarter, my number was called, and I go to work."
Prior to his late-game scoring surge, Harden significantly impacted the game as a playmaker. Operating primarily out of high pick-and-rolls, he consistently created opportunities for his teammates, including a powerful dunk by Evan Mobley and multiple wide-open three-pointers. He finished the game with 19 points on an efficient 8-for-14 shooting, alongside seven assists in 40 minutes of play. Mitchell, his backcourt partner, contributed a game-high 35 points on 13-for-24 shooting, complemented by 10 rebounds and four assists.
The offensive synergy between Mitchell and Harden, particularly in the second half of Game 2 and throughout Game 3, was a marked improvement for Cleveland. Led by their two star playmakers, the Cavaliers executed their offense with greater pace and purpose, aggressively attacking favorable matchups and consistently pressuring the rim. This strategic shift resulted in Cleveland’s most efficient offensive performance of the series thus far.
Pistons’ Possession Game Falls Short
Despite Cleveland’s offensive efficiency, the Detroit Pistons presented a compelling case study in the perils of the "possession game." While NBA coaches frequently emphasize the importance of securing extra possessions through offensive rebounding and limiting turnovers, Game 3 proved to be an exception where winning the possession battle did not translate to victory.
The Pistons attempted an astounding 17 more field goals than the Cavaliers but ultimately lost by seven points. This significant disparity stemmed primarily from Detroit’s dominance on the offensive glass. The Pistons recorded 17 offensive rebounds, rebounding an impressive 40.4% of their own misses. In contrast, Cleveland managed only five offensive boards, rebounding 27.8% of its misses.
"It’s really hard to win in this league with that disparity, so I’d just say that’s a little lucky on our part," Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged post-game. He added a cautionary note, stating, "It’s not sustainable," recognizing the inherent risk of relying on such offensive inefficiencies.
The initial quarter highlighted the extreme contrast: Cleveland endured a 25% turnover rate and zero offensive rebounds but posted an absurd 88.2% effective field goal percentage. Conversely, Detroit had a 16% turnover rate and a 50% offensive rebounding percentage, yet their effective field goal percentage stood at exactly 50%, according to Cleaning The Glass data. In half-court sets during that period, the Cavaliers scored 142.9 points per 100 possessions compared to the Pistons’ meager 90.5 per 100, yet Cleveland led by only two points heading into the second quarter.
By the game’s conclusion, the efficiency gap, though less extreme, remained decisive. Cleveland scored 113.5 points per 100 half-court possessions, while Detroit managed an anemic 89.9 per 100. Despite their 17 offensive rebounds, the Pistons converted them into only 19 second-chance points. Similarly, Cleveland’s 16 turnovers yielded just 19 points off turnovers for Detroit. The Pistons’ inability to capitalize effectively on their numerous extra possessions ultimately cost them a vital road victory against the top-seeded Cavaliers. Detroit will need to convert their rebounding advantage into more efficient scoring if they hope to regain control of the series in Game 4.
Deandre Ayton’s Inconsistency Plagues Lakers
In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves facing a familiar and troubling narrative surrounding their starting center, Deandre Ayton. The "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Ayton saga," as it has been colloquially dubbed, continued its unwelcome presence in Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, has long been a subject of debate regarding his consistency. For much of the previous two months, the Lakers had witnessed the more desirable version of Ayton: a low-maintenance offensive presence, a physical force on the glass, and generally engaged defensively. This was the Ayton who anchored the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021 and subsequently earned a max contract. It was also the version that largely performed well for the Lakers in their first-round series against the Houston Rockets.
However, in Game 3 against the Thunder, particularly in the second half, the Lakers were plagued by the less desirable iteration of Ayton – a performance reminiscent of the player the Portland Trail Blazers were eager to buy out. Ayton registered a solitary defensive rebound for the entire game. For the second time in the series, he failed to attempt a single free throw, indicating a lack of aggression in attacking the rim. The Lakers conceded 64 points in the paint, a significant portion of which occurred on Ayton’s watch, with his defensive effort visibly lacking. Even the broadcast commentary highlighted his lackadaisical play, a damning indictment for a player of his caliber.
The frustration emanating from Lakers head coach JJ Redick was palpable. With approximately nine minutes remaining in the game, Redick made a decisive move, pulling Ayton from the lineup and inserting rookie Adou Thiero. Thiero, a 6-foot-7 forward who had played only 149 regular-season minutes, is clearly not yet ready for significant playoff action. However, his insertion sent an undeniable message: Thiero plays with consistent effort, a quality Ayton conspicuously lacked. Following Ayton’s benching, the Lakers opted to play the remainder of the game without a traditional center, a move that also reflected poorly on reserve center Jaxson Hayes. This strategic decision by Redick is not unprecedented; he famously coached an entire playoff half last season without utilizing a center. The consistent pattern suggests that neither Ayton nor Hayes has managed to earn Redick’s full trust throughout the season.
Ayton’s inconsistent play poses significant questions for the Lakers’ front office this offseason. Had he maintained the level of performance seen in March and April, he would have been well-positioned to comfortably decline his player option and secure a lucrative long-term deal at a typical starter’s salary. Instead, his recurring struggles underscore the clear need for the Lakers to fundamentally reassess and reshape their center rotation in the upcoming offseason.
Ajay Mitchell’s Emergence Fuels Thunder’s Dominance
While the Lakers grappled with internal struggles, the Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominant postseason run, extending their undefeated record. A significant factor in their success, particularly in Game 3, was the outstanding play of second-year, second-round pick Ajay Mitchell.
The Thunder, the reigning NBA champions, have showcased remarkable depth throughout the postseason. With key players like Jalen Williams sidelined due to injury, concerns might have arisen regarding the team’s shot creation beyond superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. However, Mitchell has effectively erased these doubts.
Comparing statistical outputs in this series, Mitchell has surprisingly outperformed Gilgeous-Alexander in certain metrics. While these statistics are contextually nuanced – the Lakers’ defensive scheme heavily focuses on limiting Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s MVP – Mitchell’s ability to even be in the conversation speaks volumes about his impact. His emergence addresses a critical potential weakness for the Thunder, demonstrating that their offense is not solely dependent on Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliance.
The "Jalen Brunson comparison" has frequently been invoked to describe Mitchell’s playing style, and for good reason. Mitchell possesses an uncanny ability to penetrate defenses and get to the rim "completely at will." Through three games against the Lakers, he has shot an impressive 18-of-28 in the paint. This relentless rim pressure not only generates his own scoring opportunities but also consistently creates easy looks for his teammates, embodying a true playmaking guard.
Mitchell’s influence is particularly evident in the minutes when Gilgeous-Alexander rests. The Thunder have outscored the Lakers by a remarkable 23 points in the minutes Gilgeous-Alexander has been off the court in this series, with Mitchell serving as the primary catalyst for that bench unit’s success.
While the current challenge posed by the Lakers is not considered formidable, and the bar for Mitchell’s performance may be relatively low in this round, his consistent excellence bodes well for the Thunder’s future. The true test of his burgeoning talent will likely come in the next round against the San Antonio Spurs, a team expected to present a far greater defensive challenge. Regardless of that upcoming series, Mitchell has already cemented his status as a core player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, proving to be an invaluable asset in their pursuit of another championship. His continued development adds another potent dimension to an already formidable roster, making the Thunder even more dangerous as the playoffs progress.
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