The Cleveland Cavaliers rediscovered their offensive rhythm in a big way, pulling out a 116-109 Game 3 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Behind 35 points from Donovan Mitchell and clutch shotmaking from James Harden, the Cavs showed why they're a force when their offense clicks.

Let's break down the numbers that tell the story of this pivotal win. The stats below come from Cleaning the Glass, with percentiles compared to other playoff games—so context matters here.

First, the Donovan Mitchell factor: Cleveland is now 15-1 this season when Mitchell scores 35 or more points. That's no coincidence. The Cavs have ridden Mitchell's wave all year, and Game 3 was no exception. He attacked the rim relentlessly, going 6-for-8 on shots in the restricted area—a stark contrast to the first two games, where he attempted just one shot in that zone combined. Detroit simply couldn't stay in front of him.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing from deep. Mitchell struggled from three-point range, hitting just 2-of-8 attempts. He's now connecting on only 32.2% of his outside looks this postseason. However, his overall impact was undeniable: Cleveland outscored Detroit by seven points during Mitchell's minutes on the floor. That on/off split has been a key trend—the Cavs are 4-0 when they win Mitchell's minutes in the playoffs, and 1-5 when they don't.

Mitchell also grabbed 10 rebounds, his first double-digit board game since December 31. That kind of all-around effort set the tone.

Perhaps the biggest shift came in Cleveland's shot selection. After ranking in the 2nd and 31st percentiles in rim attempts over the first two games, the Cavs took 40% of their shots at the rim in Game 3—good for the 85th percentile. And they made the most of those looks, converting 84% of their restricted area attempts (92nd percentile).

The half-court offense finally found its groove, posting a 113.5 offensive rating (87th percentile). After struggling against Detroit's set defense in Games 1 and 2, Cleveland's execution was sharp and decisive.

For fans and players alike, this win was a reminder that when the Cavs attack the paint and let Mitchell orchestrate, they're a tough team to stop. Game 4 promises more fireworks.