14 May 2026

Max Strus catches fire from deep as Cavaliers win in OT

The Cleveland Cavaliers took a 117-113 overtime win against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and Max Strus played a clean, high-impact game. He scored 20 points, drilling six three-pointers on eight attempts, and added eight rebounds. Per Sofascore, he earned an 8.5 Sofascore Rating as Cleveland moved ahead 3-2 in the series.

Six threes on eight attempts

Strus’ shooting set the tone. He went 6-of-8 from beyond the arc and 2-of-2 at the line, finishing 6-of-8 from the field overall. That efficiency showed up in the advanced numbers too, with a 112.5% effective field goal percentage and 112.61% true shooting. He didn’t take a two-point shot, which is a pretty good hint his spacing job was working.

All-around help without turnovers

There was more than just shooting. Strus grabbed eight rebounds, including two on the offensive glass, and posted a +9 plus-minus in 36 minutes. He also logged a block and a steal and didn’t commit a single turnover. For a low-usage role, that is about as tidy as it gets.

Moments that mattered

Strus found rhythm early with two threes in the first quarter and two more in the second, stacking 12 points by halftime. He added five more in the third, plus two offensive rebounds and two free throws, fueling Cleveland’s best stretch of the night. In the fourth he hit another three, and while he didn’t score in overtime, he recorded a key assist and a steal. His OT +4 helped the Cavaliers close it out.

Series picture and setting

This overtime win puts the Cavaliers ahead 3-2 in the series against the top-seeded Pistons. The game, played at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, drew 20,062 fans. You can follow every playoff performance like this on Sofascore, from live play-by-play to the Sofascore Rating that captures all-around impact.