The Cleveland Cavaliers must have been feeling very confident heading into Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Detroit Pistons. After all, they were in the driver’s seat, leading the series 3-2, and they haven’t yet suffered a single loss at home in this year’s playoffs. However, the tide turned on Friday night, as the Pistons pulled away from the Cavs in the second half and did not look back as Cleveland lost Game 6, 115-94.
The third quarter was a major problem point for the Cavs, as they allowed the Pistons to go on a huge run to build a double-digit lead after trailing by just three points at the halftime interval. It was the Pistons bench that changed the game drastically, with Paul Reed and Marcus Sasser providing sparks that the Cavs simply could not match.
Even James Harden alluded to the kind of inexcusable lethargy the Cavs played with, which is simply not good enough for a team looking to close out a series.
“Nope. Not at all (happy with the level of intensity),” Harden said in his postgame presser, via the official NBA account on X (formerly Twitter).
Reporter: "Were you guys happy with the level of intensity from the get-go that you guys brought tonight?"
James Harden: "Nope. Not at all."
"Can you elaborate as to maybe why it wasn't there?"
Harden: "That's a great question."
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/LEAa7jPa2z
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 16, 2026
If there are players on the Cavs roster who would know what it takes to close out a series to advance to the Conference Finals, it’s Harden and Max Strus, with both of them making it as far as the NBA Finals. They were not very good on offense, as they couldn’t find ways to get plenty of clean looks against a Pistons team that locked in on that end of the floor with their backs against the wall.
With Game 7 on Sunday night being on the road, the Cavs need to avoid getting punched in the mouth by a much more youthful, much faster, and much more physical Pistons team.