Donovan Mitchell scored an NBA-playoff-record-tying 39 points in the second half and finished with 43, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 112-103 victory over the visiting Detroit Pistons in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday.
The Cavaliers, who tied the best-of-seven series 2-2, put together a 24-0 run spanning halftime to stun the top-seeded Pistons. It was the most consecutive points in a playoff game in franchise history.
Mitchell matched the mark for points in a half by Eric “Sleepy” Floyd of the Golden State Warriors against the Los Angeles Lakers on May 10, 1987, in the West semifinals.
After halftime, Mitchell made 12 of 18 field-goal attempts, 3 of 7 3-point tries and 12 of 13 free throws in 17 minutes.
The seven-time All-Star logged 21 points in the third quarter for the fourth-seeded Cavaliers. Game 5 of the series is Wednesday in Detroit.
The Pistons won the first two games at home, while Cleveland was a 116-109 victor on Saturday.
James Harden had 24 points and 11 assists while Evan Mobley added 17 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots for Cleveland, which is 6-0 at home this postseason.
Caris LeVert scored 24 points off the bench for Detroit, while Cade Cunningham had 19 points, six assists and five turnovers. Tobias Harris recorded 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and Paul Reed had 15 points.
The Cavaliers held the Pistons scoreless for 6:34 after Harris made a hoop with 31.1 seconds left in the first half, turning a 56-50 deficit into a 74-56 lead. Mitchell scored the first eight points of the second half, putting his team ahead for good.
Detroit completed a 23-5 run early in the second, fueled by 10 points from LeVert to go up 28-21. There were nine lead changes and three ties in the first half, which ended with the Pistons leading 56-52 despite committing 10 turnovers.
Mitchell had just four points at halftime due to 1-of-8 field-goal shooting.
