{"id":797883,"date":"2026-05-15T09:40:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T09:40:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/797883\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T09:40:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T09:40:55","slug":"from-the-sports-desk-james-harden-leads-cleveland-to-overtime-win-over-detroit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/797883\/","title":{"rendered":"From The Sports Desk: James Harden leads Cleveland to overtime win over Detroit"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Detroit Pistons seemed in control in a pivotal Game 5 last night, until the Cleveland Cavaliers stormed back to win in overtime. The Cavs\u2019 hero? None other than James Harden<\/strong>. We dive in below.<\/p>\n

\"NBC<\/p>\n

Subscribe to read this story ad-free <\/p>\n

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.<\/p>\n

\"arrow\"<\/p>\n

Plus, NBC basketball analyst Jamal Crawford<\/strong> tells us more about the moves he taught Victor Wembanyama<\/strong>, and Senegal\u2019s Sadio Man\u00e9 <\/strong>is today\u2019s World Cup spotlight player.<\/p>\n

For more NBA and World Cup coverage, check out the NBC News website<\/a>. <\/p>\n

NBA Playoffs<\/p>\n

The Detroit Pistons are on the brink of elimination after a stunning collapse last night, losing 117-113 in overtime to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs will now take a 3-2 series lead back home for Game 6 tomorrow night.<\/p>\n

The Pistons led by as many as 15 points and held a 103-94 advantage with a little over two minutes left. But Cleveland scored 9 straight points to force overtime, taking advantage of a Detroit offense that struggled immensely in the second half.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat stretch right there says a lot about our progress, mental performance progress and mental toughness progress,\u201d Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson<\/strong> said of the late comeback.<\/p>\n

James Harden<\/strong> scored 30 points, adding eight rebounds and six assists for the Cavs as he continues trying to rehabilitate his tortured playoff past. Donovan Mitchell<\/strong> scored 21.<\/p>\n

Cade Cunningham<\/strong> led the Pistons with 39 points, but his turnover struggles continued. He gave away the ball six times, as Detroit\u2019s lack of another playmaker continues to cause problems. Jalen Duren<\/strong> scored only 9 points, bringing his series average to 9.4, down from 19.5 in the regular season.<\/p>\n

\"CadeDetroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham passes to forward Paul Reed in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena.Rick Osentoski \/ Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Pistons, who are 3-0 in elimination games this postseason after coming back down 3-1 in the first round, will now need a road win to keep their season alive.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to have to choke the life out of this team,\u201d Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff<\/strong> said. \u201cThey\u2019re not going to go down without a fight. They\u2019re not going down without fighting. They\u2019re not going to go down without kicking, punching, grabbing, clawing. That\u2019s just who we are.\u201d <\/p>\n

Mentoring Wemby<\/p>\n

NBC Sports analyst Jamal Crawford<\/strong>, who has called games of the second-round series between the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves along with Mike Tirico<\/strong> and Reggie Miller<\/strong>, has a special insight into what makes Spurs star Victor Wembanyama<\/strong> one of the game\u2019s best players.<\/p>\n

Crawford, who played 20 years in the NBA, spent time training with Wemby in the summer of 2024, and it\u2019s safe to say Crawford came away impressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the way he lives, the way he thinks,\u201d Crawford said about what makes Wembanyama unique. \u201cThe way he saw, not just the game, but the way he sees life is totally different. It was almost like I was talking to somebody older than me. It was like talking to a 50-year-old, just getting wisdom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"VictorVictor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during Round Two Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 12, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.Garrett Ellwood \/ NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Crawford raved about Wembanyama\u2019s maturity and emotional intelligence, as well as his ability to process information on the court.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would show him moves and show him things, and he was able to download it right there,\u201d Crawford said. \u201cAnd this is stuff that took me a lifetime to learn. And stuff that, if I try to teach it, takes years. He was downloading in five minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wemby has put those moves to good use. For example, during his dominant, 18-point first quarter in the Spurs\u2019 Game 5 win over the Timberwolves, on one play Wembanyama hit a combo of hesitation dribbles into a crossover into a spinning layup over Rudy Gobert<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you teach him that?\u201d Miller asked Crawford on the broadcast.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to lie, that one looked a little familiar, Reg,\u201d Crawford replied.<\/p>\n

World Cup Countdown\"SadioSadio Man\u00e9 of Senegal looks on during the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal at Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat, Morocco on Jan. 18, 2026. Ulrik Pedersen \/ NurPhoto via Getty Images file<\/p>\n

Leading up to the 2026 World Cup, we\u2019re counting down 26 players to watch. Today\u2019s entry is Senegal\u2019s Sadio Man\u00e9<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

One of the greatest Africans to ever play the sport, Man\u00e9 is expected to make the 2026 World Cup his swan song for Senegal, as he\u2019s said he\u2019d like to retire from international competition after the tournament.<\/p>\n

One of the best wingers of his generation, Man\u00e9 is 34 and nearing the end of his career, which could provide an extra boost of motivation to the Teranga Lions as they look to hoist the trophy for the first time.<\/p>\n

Currently club teammates with Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong> for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Man\u00e9 has made 126 appearances for the Senegalese national team. His 53 goals are the most all-time for the country, while he\u2019s second in appearances.<\/p>\n

Though Senegal appeared in the 2022 World Cup \u2014 and made it all the way to the round of 16 \u2014 it did so without Man\u00e9, who missed the last tournament due to injury. Man\u00e9 was long one of the sport\u2019s top players, however, particularly during his tenure with Liverpool from 2016 to 2022. In that time, he won a Premier League Golden Boot and helped the club end its 30-year title drought in 2020.<\/p>\n

Man\u00e9 may have limited World Cup experience, but he has shone on the world stage. He\u2019s been a major factor in Senegal\u2019s recent success at the Africa Cup of Nations, which the country won in 2021 while finishing as runner-up in 2019 and (quite controversially) in 2025.<\/p>\n

The Lions are hoping their recent showings at international tournaments plus Man\u00e9\u2019s experience and leadership can power the country to its best finish since 2002, when Senegal made its memorable run to the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n

Yesterday\u2019s entry was Belgium\u2019s Kevin De Bruyne<\/strong>. Read about him here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

What We\u2019re Reading<\/p>\n

World Cup ticket prices are starting to come down<\/a> on the resale markets.<\/p>\n

Shakira, Madonna and BTS will headline the World Cup final\u2019s first halftime show<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Colorado Avalanche beat the Minnesota Wild in overtime last night<\/a> to advance to the NHL\u2019s Western Conference finals.<\/p>\n

The Miami Dolphins reportedly signed running back De\u2019Von Achane<\/strong> to a four-year, $64 million contract extension, making him the third-highest-paid running back<\/a> on an annual average salary basis.<\/p>\n

The Florida attorney general has issued a subpoena<\/a> to the NFL over the Rooney Rule. <\/p>\n

What We\u2019re Watching<\/p>\n

Riding the wave of a magical season, the Buffalo Sabres made the NHL playoffs for the first time since 2011. But their magic might run out in the second round against the Montreal Canadiens, unless Buffalo can figure out its goaltending situation \u2014 and fast.<\/p>\n

The Sabres pulled goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen<\/strong> in Round 1, replacing him with Alex Lyon<\/strong>, who helped the Sabres beat the Bruins in six games. But now Lyon has struggled against Montreal; he allowed nine goals total between Games 2 and 3, both Buffalo losses.<\/p>\n

The Sabres reinserted Luukkonen for Game 4 and won to even the series at 2-2. Tonight is the all-important Game 5. The play of Buffalo\u2019s goalie figures to make all the difference. <\/p>\n

All times are Eastern:<\/p>\n