The Cavaliers dominated the Pistons at home on Saturday to pull within 2-1 in their NBA conference semifinals, unlike the Lakers, who were defeated for the third time by the Thunder.

Although Cleveland avoided a 3-0 deficit, a deficit never overcome in playoff history, the Californians are condemned to a feat in their best-of-seven series against the defending champion.

Propelled by 35 points and ten rebounds from their leader Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs were able to count on James Harden (19 points, 7 assists) to close out the game 116-109.

He scored three important baskets in the "money-time", including a killer three-pointer that gave Cleveland a four-point lead with 25.9 seconds left.

"I love it," Harden asserted. "When I get a call, I just go to my spots. And it's something I literally work on every single day."

Harden's poor offensive statistics and his late-game mistakes in the first two games drew criticism, but the 36-year-old veteran said he took the "chatter" philosophically.

"Whether you do something right or wrong, if you give me opportunities in this fourth quarter, I'll take them," explained "The Beard".

For Detroit, Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but was inefficient at shooting (10 for 27) and committed eight turnovers.

The Cavs will try to even the series when they host Game 4 on Monday.

- Ajay Mitchell shines -

In Los Angeles, the Lakers, still without the injured Luka Doncic, were swept 131-108 by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ajay Mitchell (24 points, 10 assists) led his team in scoring against LeBron James, who was active (19 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists) despite struggling with his shooting (7 for 19).

"I'm not giving up on this series," Lakers coach JJ Redick declared resolutely before the next game, again played at home. "We're going to do everything we can to win on Monday. We're going to do everything we can to extend the series, and we're going to do everything we can to bring the series back to OKC."

Rui Hachimura led the Lakers with 21 points. But the Thunder's roster depth proved too much for the Lakers, who will likely be without their Slovenian star Luka Doncic for another two weeks.

"That's the strength of their team," Redick pointed out, referring to the impressive depth of his opponents' roster.

While reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made only seven of 20 shots, Mitchell – who was replacing the injured Jalen Williams – stepped up. "He's a real fighter," said Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished the game with 23 points.

"This may surprise the whole world, but for us, it's not a surprise," the Canadian leader stated.

As in the second game, the Lakers went into halftime with a two-point lead, thanks in particular to their 11 successful three-point shots in the first half.

But once again, the Thunder crushed them in the third quarter, outscoring them 21-6.