There's a reason they call him 'Big Game' James

The Hirsute Hero saves the Cavaliers' season. Plus: call the curling team because I think we need their brooms.

Good morning. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. Let's basketball.

Carry On My Wayward Jim

Pistons 109, Cavaliers 116 (DET leads 2-1)

What a privilege to be locked in a war with the No. 1 seed, down 0-2 and facing the specter of a sweep if you lose one more. You're at home, and you need a hero. And there goes "Big Game" James Harden, dribbling and dribbling and scoring and winning.

Nine points on 4/5 shooting in the fourth, playing the whole period alongside Donovan Mitchell, showing what desperation Kenny Atkinson felt. And Harden delivered on huge buckets. What he did here to save Cleveland's season doesn't erase how awful he looked in Detroit, performances that helped put the Cavaliers' season on the brink. But it helps move the narrative forward. Cleveland needs more of that James Harden and less of the turnover-prone, brick maker Harden.

The context of why Cleveland needed those makes is important. Detroit tried to steal this with some clutch shots, but the Cavaliers – Harden – answered every time.

Cade Cunningham finished with 27-10-10 ... but eight turnovers. Donovan Mitchell had 35-10-4. Let's just not talk about Jalen Duren or Evan Mobley. Well, we can talk about one Evan Mobley play.