The Cavaliers will face the Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals after advancing past the first round. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff, a former Cavs coach, will lead his team against Cleveland, who secured the No. 4 seed.
Key points
Cavaliers face Pistons in Eastern Conference semifinals
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers know the Detroit Pistons extremely well because the two Eastern Conference teams reside in the Central Division and Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff guided the Cavs for four-plus seasons until he was fired in May 2024.
The Cavs hired coach Kenny Atkinson as Bickerstaff's replacement. Nearly two years later, Atkinson and the Cavs will meet Bickerstaff and the Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals, otherwise known as the second round of the NBA playoffs.
The Pistons went 60-22 in the 2025-26 regular season to capture the East's No. 1 playoff seed. They will have home-court advantage in a best-of-seven series against the Cavs, who earned the East's No. 4 seed amid a bevy of injuries with a regular-season record of 50-32.
May 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Rocket Arena before game seven between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
May 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Toronto Raptors players warm up before game seven between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Q&A
How did the Cavaliers perform in the regular season before the playoffs?
The Cavaliers finished the regular season with a record of 50-32, earning the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
What was the Pistons' regular season record and playoff seed?
The Pistons had a regular season record of 60-22, capturing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Who is the current coach of the Pistons and what is his connection to the Cavaliers?
The Pistons are coached by J.B. Bickerstaff, who previously coached the Cavaliers for over four seasons before being fired in May 2024.
What is the format of the series between the Cavaliers and Pistons?
The Cavaliers and Pistons will compete in a best-of-seven series in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors NBA playoffs Game 7 photos
May 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Rocket Arena before game seven between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors NBA playoffs Game 7 photos
May 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Rocket Arena before game seven between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors NBA playoffs Game 7 photos
May 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Toronto Raptors players warm up before game seven between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
In the first round, the Cavs and Pistons seized 4-3 series wins over the No. 5 Toronto Raptors and No. 8 Orlando Magic, respectively. Game 1 between the Cavs and Pistons is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in Detroit.
Jan 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has words with referee Jason Goldenberg (not pictured) during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Jan 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has words with referee Jason Goldenberg (not pictured) during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
What is Cavs' record vs. Pistons? Cavaliers went 2-2 against the Pistons in 2025-26 regular season
The Cavs went 2-2 against the Pistons in the 2025-26 regular season.
Here are the results from those Cavs-Pistons games:
Oct. 27: Cavs won 116-95 on the road
Jan. 4: Cavs lost 114-110 at home
Feb. 27: Cavs lost 122-119 in overtime on the road
March 3: Cavs won 113-109 at home
Cavs playoff schedule. When do Cavaliers and Pistons play?
The Cavs-Pistons series will start with Game 1 at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in Detroit. It will be televised by Peacock and NBC Sports Network.
Game 1: Cavs at Pistons, 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, Peacock/NBC Sports Network
Game 2: Cavs at Pistons, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, Prime Video
Game 3: Pistons at Cavs, 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9, NBC/Peacock
Game 4: Pistons at Cavs, 8 p.m. Monday, May 11, NBC/Peacock
Game 5: Cavs at Pistons, TBD time Wednesday, May 13, TBD network, if necessary
Game 6: Pistons at Cavs, time TBD Friday, May 15, TBD network, if necessary
Game 7: Cavs at Pistons, time TBD Sunday, May 17, TBD network, if necessary
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
