The Cavaliers cut their series deficit to 2-1 against the Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game 4 is set for May 11 at 8 p.m., with live updates available.
Key points
Cavaliers cut series deficit to 2-1
Game 4 scheduled for May 11 at 8 p.m.
Game 5 will be on May 13 in Detroit
Winner faces New York Knicks in Eastern Conference Finals
CavaliersPistonsNew York KnicksEastern Conference Finals
The best-of-seven second-round NBA playoff series between the fourth-seeded Cavs and top-seeded Pistons will return to Detroit for Game 5 on Wednesday, May 13. Will the series be tied be tied by then, or will the Cavs instead face elimination?
The winner of the Cavs-Pistons series will advance to face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks completed a 4-0 sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, May 10.
Tipoff for Game 4 between the Cavs and Pistons is scheduled for 8 p.m. Check back here for live score updates, stats, highlights and analysis throughout the night:
Q&A
What time does Game 4 between the Cavaliers and Pistons start?
Game 4 is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. on May 11.
What is the current series score between the Cavaliers and Pistons?
The Cavaliers trail the series 2-1 against the Pistons.
When is Game 5 of the Cavaliers vs Pistons series?
Game 5 is scheduled for May 13 in Detroit.
Who will the winner of the Cavaliers vs Pistons series face next?
The winner will advance to face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
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May 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder (8) warms up before game three between the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A detail of the lower bowl covered in t-shirts before game three between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) warms up before game three between the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A detail of the lower bowl covered in t-shirts before game three between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson speaks at pregame press conference at Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at pregame press conference at Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson speaks at pregame press conference at Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2), right, warms up next to center Jalen Duren (0) before Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0), warms up before Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Each chair at Rocket Arena in Cleveland is covered with a white Beat Detroit t-shirt before Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2), right, warms up before Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2), right, warms up before Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
May 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder (8) warms up before game three between the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
May 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder (8) warms up before game three between the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
May 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A detail of the lower bowl covered in t-shirts before game three between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
May 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) warms up before game three between the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
May 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A detail of the lower bowl covered in t-shirts before game three between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson speaks at pregame press conference at Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at pregame press conference at Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson speaks at pregame press conference at Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2), right, warms up next to center Jalen Duren (0) before Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0), warms up before Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
Each chair at Rocket Arena in Cleveland is covered with a white Beat Detroit t-shirt before Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2), right, warms up before Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 3 photos
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2), right, warms up before Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Where to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Game 4. Cavs playoffs TV channel and streaming info
Game 4 between the Cavs and Pistons will be televised nationally by NBC and Peacock.
Cavs radio station info
The local radio broadcast of Game 4 can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
Cavs vs Pistons Game 4 injury report
The Cavs listed backup center Thomas Bryant (lower back spasms) as questionable to play in Game 4.
In Game 3, Cavs backup shooting guard Sam Merrill returned from a one-game absence caused by a left hamstring strain.
Cavaliers center Evan Mobley goes for a first-half rebound against Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren during Game 3 in the second round of the playoffs, May 9, 2026, in Cleveland.
Cavaliers center Evan Mobley goes for a first-half rebound against Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren during Game 3 in the second round of the playoffs, May 9, 2026, in Cleveland.
Cavs vs Pistons Game 4 starting lineup
Will the Cavs make a change to their startling lineup. So far, they have used the same one in the first three games against the Pistons.
The Pistons listed backup guard Caris LeVert (right heel contusion) and backup wing Kevin Huerter (left abductor strain) as questionable to play in Game 4.
LeVert has played in each game of Round 2 against his former Cavs team. Huerter was inactive in Games 1, 2 and 3 against the Cavs and in the final three games of Detroit's 4-3 first-round series win over the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic.
Detroit Pistons players huddle after a play against Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Detroit Pistons players huddle after a play against Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Pistons vs Cavs Game 4 starting lineup
The Pistons are expected to use the same starting lineup for Game 4 as the one they used during the first three games of the series.
Game 4: Pistons at Cavs, 8 p.m. Monday, May 11, NBC/Peacock
Game 5: Cavs at Pistons, 7 or 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, ESPN
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
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham battle for position during Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals May 09, 2026. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham battle for position during Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals May 09, 2026. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Eastern Conference playoff bracket 2026
Here are the second-round matchups:
No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers; Pistons lead series 2-1
No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers; Knicks won series 4-0
Here are the first-round results:
No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic; Pistons won series 4-3
No. 2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers; 76ers won series 4-3
No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 6 seed Atlanta Hawks; Knicks won series 4-2
No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 seed Toronto Raptors; Cavs won series 4-3
Cleveland Cavaliers playoff history during their Donovan Mitchell era
This is the fourth consecutive season the Cavs have made the playoffs.
Here are the results from their previous three playoff appearances, all of which have occurred since the Cavs traded for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in 2022:
2024-25: Lost 4-1 in second round to Indiana Pacers after sweeping Miami Heat 4-0 in first round
2023-24: Lost 4-1 in second round to Boston Celtics after beating Orlando Magic 4-3 in first round
2022-23: Lost 4-1 in first round to New York Knicks
