Cavaliers vs. Pistons live updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs 2nd round series
The Eastern Conference series shifts to Detroit.
Cavaliers vs. Pistons live updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs 2nd round series originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons meet on Wednesday night in an important Game 5 matchup. Both teams are tied 2-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series with one team on the verge of elimination and the other on the verge of moving on. That's what's at stake in the Motor City.
Donovan Mitchell has led the Cavs by notching 43 points in Game 4. He has been the answer Cleveland has needed down the stretch in this series. Especially when James Harden hasn't played his best.
The Cavs haven’t won away from Cleveland in the playoffs and that must stop tonight to advance. Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff will have to find the right pace in his lineup to keep the Cavs from jumping out to a huge lead. Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris can't do it all and the rest of Detroit's starting five will have to step up.