Donovan Mitchell ties NBA record as Cavs even series up 2-2 with Pistons

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mitchell-donovan/hhFqipLe/"]Mitchell[/a] erupted for 39 points in the second half before finishing with 43 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/harden-james/zm5V3CZo/"]James Harden[/a] added 24 points as the Cavs knotted the best-of-seven series at 2-2 in front of a packed Rocket Arena in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cleveland-cavaliers/xGk13Tb6/"]Cleveland[/a].[/p][p]It was the third consecutive game where Mitchell has scored 30 points or more, a run of form that has helped Cleveland climb out of a 0-2 hole to square the series.[/p][p]Mitchell's 39-point display in the second half also tied the NBA record for most points in a single half of a postseason game, set by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/golden-state-warriors/SxUtXqch/"]Golden State[/a]'s Eric Floyd in 1987.[/p][embed guid="671fab9a-55ca-4a20-a76c-5d02f7edf3fa" url="https://x.com/NBA/status/2054031951137280141?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Mitchell said he had apologized to his teammates at the break after a lackluster first-half performance.[/p][p][b]"I was trying to set the tone on offense, and I didn't do that in the first half. I came in at half-time and told my guys, 'It's on me',"[/b] Mitchell said.[b] "I tried to make a statement in the second half."[/b][/p][embed guid="1b6b96ef-c465-4d53-89d1-8c66059e17ee" url="https://x.com/NBA/status/2054033516724207964?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/detroit-pistons/UcjMRj6J/"]Detroit[/a] had looked ready to take a 3-1 advantage in the early exchanges, battling into a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/basketball/cleveland-cavaliers-xGk13Tb6/detroit-pistons-UcjMRj6J/?mid=2qA1J5Z1"]56-52[/a] lead at the half.[/p][p]But seven-time NBA All-Star Mitchell took over with a virtuoso third-quarter performance, scoring 21 points in the third as Cleveland launched a jaw-dropping 25-0 run to turn the game on its head, moving into a 75-58 lead that would ultimately prove decisive.[/p][p]Mitchell kept the points flowing in the fourth quarter, adding 18 more points as Detroit struggled to respond to the onslaught, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/cunningham-cade/0YleT8PG/"]Cade Cunningham[/a] restricted to just seven points in the third and fourth quarters.[/p][p]Most Valuable Player contender Cunningham finished with 19 points, while [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/levert-caris/CzZBmhh2/"]Caris LeVert[/a] led the Pistons in scoring with 24 from the bench.[/p][p]The series now heads back to Detroit for game five on Wednesday.[/p][p][b]"They protected their home court and we did the same thing, so now we've got to go and get one,"[/b] Mitchell said. [b]"We've got to go and bring the same energy and intensity."[/b][/p]