The Cavaliers and Pistons are tied 2-2 in their NBA playoff series after the Cavs won Games 3 and 4. Game 5 will take place on May 13 at 8 p.m. in Detroit.
The Cavaliers bounced back from being punked by the Pistons in Games 1 and 2 in Detroit, turning the tables with impressive victories in Games 3 and 4 in Cleveland.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to Game Four against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Q&A
What is the current series score between the Cavaliers and Pistons?
The series is currently tied 2-2.
When is Game 5 of the Cavaliers vs Pistons playoff series?
Game 5 is scheduled for May 13 at 8 p.m.
Where will Game 5 of the Cavaliers vs Pistons be held?
Game 5 will be held at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
How did the Cavaliers perform in Games 3 and 4 against the Pistons?
The Cavaliers bounced back with impressive victories in both Games 3 and 4.
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May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; T-shirts line the seats prior to game four 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 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) warms up before game four 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 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) warms up before game four between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the 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 4 photos
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to Game Four against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
1 / 4
Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to Game Four against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
2 / 4
Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; T-shirts line the seats prior to game four 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
3 / 4
Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) warms up before game four 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
4 / 4
Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 4 photos
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) warms up before game four between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Pistons in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Here are Game 5 predictions from Beacon Journal sports writers Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich:
Cavs vs Pistons predictions. Who wins Game 5? | Ryan Lewis
NBA squads having some home/away splits is one thing, but the degree to which the Cavs have looked like a completely different team is pretty wild. At Rocket Arena, the Cavs are 6-0 and look like the top team in the East. On the road in these playoffs, they're 0-5 and haven't even looked like a playoff team.
Games 3 and 4 in Cleveland provided the Cavs with some really positive signs. James Harden woke up and has looked fantastic since the final minute of Game 3. Donovan Mitchell went nuclear and took over a game. Evan Mobley was "everywhere" on the defensive end and wasn't too far away from the first 5X5 game in playoff history. And Jarrett Allen had the home fans chanting his name. For Cleveland, the second half of Game 4 was the script.
And yet, it feels precarious to think those trends will continue given the Cavs' road form in the playoffs thus far. It would also make sense to think that Jalen Duren will bounce back in Game 5, given it looked like he wasn't sure where he was half the time in Game 4. A lot will be made about the free throw disparity, and the way that has ebbed and flowed this series. If anything, regression to the mean in Game 5 would lead to an advantage for the physical Pistons.
Pistons 109, Cavs 106
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots as Detroit Pistons guard Caris LeVert defends during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series May 1, 2026, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots as Detroit Pistons guard Caris LeVert defends during Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series May 1, 2026, in Cleveland.
Cavs vs Pistons Game 5 predictions | Nate Ulrich
Why must the collective personality of the Cavs drastically change when they play anywhere other than Cleveland this postseason? It's frustrating to observe because the talent — and potential to truly contend — is clearly on the roster. In the 2026 playoffs, the Cavs are 6-0 at home and 0-5 on the road (0-3 in Toronto and 0-2 in Detroit). Scientists should study the Cavs' brain waves at home versus on the road because this must be a mental obstacle.
And, yes, the home team is going to benefit from the whistle more than the visiting team. This officiating phenomenon is also tied to psychology. In other words, the Pistons are probably going to have an advantage in this area during Game 5, especially because coach J.B. Bickerstaff complained about the calls after the Cavs shot 34 free throws and the Pistons 12 in Game 4. Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell had 15 free throws.
"It's unacceptable," Bickerstaff said. "... Ever since we came to Cleveland, the whistle has changed. There's no way that one guy on their team shoots more free throws than our team. We're not a settle team. We're not a jump-shooting team. We drive the ball, attack the paint. So, what was done out there tonight, it's frustrating, but we can't allow that to be the reason why [we lose]. But, again, you look at the foul count, you look at the disparity and that's hard to overcome. And you wonder the reason why. It's interesting since [Cavs coach] Kenny [Atkinson] made his comments publicly about us the whistle's changed in this series."
A friendly whistle is especially important to an ultra-physical, defensive-minded team like the Pistons.
