The Cavaliers won Game 3 against the Pistons 116-109, reducing their series deficit to 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled for May 11 at Rocket Arena.
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CLEVELAND â The Cavaliers dropped both Games 1 and 2 to the Pistons in Detroit but had a chance to protect their home court in Game 3 on Saturday, May, 9 at Rocket Arena. They succeeded.
The Cavs defeated the Pistons 116-109 in Game 3 and trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven second-round series, otherwise known as the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game 4 is set for May 11 at Rocket Arena.
Cavs playoffs: How Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 3 unfolded
Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson attempts to save a ball in the first half against the Detroit Pistons during Game 3 in the second round of the playoffs, May 9, 2026, in Cleveland.
Here are Cavs-Pistons Game 3 instant reactions from Beacon Journal writers Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich:
The Cavaliers, in part, broke up for the core four and dealt for James Harden to ensure they had an ultra-experienced guard who could give them a "professional possession," as Koby Altman put it at the time.
The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 116-109 in Game 3.
Game 4 is set for May 11 at Rocket Arena.
The Cavaliers trail the Pistons 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
James Harden led the Cavaliers to their victory in Game 3.

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Through nine playoff games, the Cavs hadn't seen much of it. But in a must-win Game 3, Harden likely saved the Cavs' playoff lives by doing exactly what they had envisioned.
Harden's jumper, followed by a 3 in the final minute, has the Cavs still breathing in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Donovan Mitchell was also fantastic, finally putting together the type of game for which the Cavs were waiting.
Cleveland's guard duo hadn't looked like this since the first two games of the Raptors series. If they can keep this up, they are far from buried.
In the first half of Game 3, the Cavs looked like such a different team than they did in Detroit, and their home-versus-road act is a psychological hurdle no matter what anyone says about the phenomenon.
Donovan Mitchell returned to being an explosive athlete who can drive and score at will. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen dunked over certified tough guys. James Harden dipped into the fountain of youth. Even Sam Merrill's injured hamstring held up.
None of it happened consistently in Detroit.
But in Cleveland? Yeah, in Cleveland, the Cavs are capable of living up to the hype. Unfortunately for the fourth-seeded Cavs, the top-seeded Pistons have home-court advantage in this series, so a mental barrier will need to be conquered for Cleveland to advance to Round 3.
The Cavs can certainly get in their own way. Just look at the third quarter of Game 3 for an example. They led by 16 points at halftime, only to be outscored 33-19 in the third quarter.
But the Cavs regrouped enough in the fourth quarter to prevail. Where the game was played had a lot to do with it.
Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich cover the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. The Beacon Journal sports department can be reached at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 3 instant reactions, analysis of Cavs win