The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 117-113 in overtime during Game 5, taking a 3-2 series lead in the NBA playoffs. The series will continue with Game 6 in Cleveland on May 15.
Key points
Cavaliers won Game 5 in overtime
Final score was 117-113
Cavs lead the series 3-2
Game 6 scheduled for May 15
Cavs won their first road game in playoffs
CavaliersPistonsNBA playoffs
Cavaliers vs Pistons instant reactions to Cavs stealing Game 5 in OT
DETROIT — The Cavaliers and Pistons met for a crucial Game 5 on Wednesday, May 13, with the best-of-seven second-round NBA playoff series tied after four games.
In Game 5 in Detroit, the Cavs outlasted the Pistons in overtime 117-113 to win their first game on the road in the playoffs to take a 3-2 series lead. The series will return to Cleveland for Game 6, which is set for 7 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Rocket Arena.
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons high fives teammates prior to Game Five against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers hugs James Harden #1 prior to Game Five against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
May 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A shirt rests on a seat before game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 5 photos
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons high fives teammates prior to Game Five against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 5 photos
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons high fives teammates prior to Game Five against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 5 photos
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers hugs James Harden #1 prior to Game Five against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 5 photos
May 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A shirt rests on a seat before game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Cavs vs Pistons Game 5: Ryan Lewis' instant reaction
If the rim looked like a hula hoop to Donovan Mitchell in Game 4, it must have resembled a shot glass for most of Game 5. It's gonna be difficult for the Cavs to score enough with Mitchell starting 0-for-7 from 3-point range, where nothing would fall. Max Strus picked up a lot of that slack, but the Cavs need all of their firepower.
Then again, Mitchell picked a great time to bury his first 3, hitting it in overtime to give the Cavs a seven-point lead.
Turnovers have been the No. 1 theme of this series. The Cavs lost the turnover battle and they were demolished by points-off-turnovers. That kept the Pistons in the game, even with nobody other than Cade Cunningham being able to score consistently.
The Cavs might have been extremely fortunate to avoid a foul call on Jarrett Allen, who appeared to trip Ausar Thompson in the final seconds of regulation. Then, in overtime, James Harden stepped out of bounds but was awarded free throws. It wouldn't be surprising if J.B. Bickerstaff goes on a fine-inducing rant postgame about those calls.
The Cavs survived, and they're now in control of the series with their first win on the road, but that was chaotic.
Cavs vs Pistons Game 5: Nate Ulrich's instant reaction
The turnover battle has been a huge factor throughout the Cavs-Pistons series, and it's not just about which team has fewer turnovers. It's more about whether a team capitalizes on turnovers with points or fails to take advantage of its opportunities.
In the first half of Game 5, the Pistons won the turnover battle 10-6 and outscored the Cavs 20-2 in points off turnovers. The Pistons led 60-52 at halftime.
However, the Cavs did a better job with turnovers coming out of halftime. They outscored the Pistons 6-2 in points off turnovers in the third quarter and "won" the third quarter 32-20. The Pistons ultimately finished Game 5 with a 17-15 advantage in the turnover battle and outscored the Cavs 27-16 in points off turnovers.
Here is a breakdown of the turnover battle in the first four games of the series:
Game 1: Cavs lost turnover battle 20-12 (Detroit 31-16 in points off turnovers); Cleveland lost 111-101
Game 2: Cavs won turnover battle 13-11 (Detroit 14-10 in points off turnovers); Cleveland lost 107-97
Game 3: Cavs won turnover battle 16-15 (Cleveland 27-19 points off turnovers); Cleveland won 116-109
Game 4: Cleveland won turnover battle 20-15 (Cleveland 25-20 points off turnovers); Cleveland won 112-103
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.
