Cavs-Pistons Game 5 Heads to Cleveland After Split; Over 211.5 Favored

The Cleveland Cavaliers head home for Game 5 of their Eastern Conference playoff series against the Detroit Pistons after splitting the first four games.

Cleveland dropped the opening two games on the road but won the next two at home to keep their hopes alive for the conference finals. The Cavs now face a challenge they have yet to meet in the postseason: winning away from Cleveland. They finished the regular season nine games above .500 on the road, and they did beat Detroit on the road early this season.

Whatever has plagued Cleveland in the playoffs has kept them from road wins. The team struggles to close out tight games. James Harden and Donovan Mitchell rank among the league's best individual players, but neither has taken charge in close postseason contests.

Detroit players expressed frustration with officiating. Few teams feel satisfied with referee calls this postseason. The Pistons appear to have a valid complaint. In Game 4, Cleveland attempted 34 free throws to Detroit's 12. Mitchell alone took 15, more than the entire Pistons team. Game 3 saw Cleveland with 28 attempts to Detroit's 22.

Arguments exist over which team drives more, but the foul disparity seems hard to justify. Even with that edge in Game 4, Cleveland needed a strong outing from Mitchell and the free throws to win by nine.

Teams that complain about calls often draw more favorable whistles next time, especially with some basis for the gripe as here. Cleveland has faltered on the road, but this series remains wide open. It could end in a sweep for either side or stay tied.

Closing out games will decide it. Scores have run low so far, but more fouls should mean extra free throws, with Detroit getting more calls and Cleveland around 20. Both offenses have settled in for Game 5. Mitchell looks to have found his rhythm. Take the over on 211.5.