The Detroit Pistons lost Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 116-109, despite leading the series 2-1. Their shooting struggled, particularly from beyond the arc, hitting only 14.3% in the first half.
Key points
Pistons lost Game 3 to Cavaliers, 116-109
Pistons shot 14.3% from three-point range in first half
Pistons lead the series 2-1
Game 4 scheduled for Monday night in Cleveland
Detroit PistonsCleveland Cavaliers
CLEVELAND – So much for the sweep.
The Detroit Pistons made the trip to Rocket Arena for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but their long-range shooting apparently hung behind. Two days after shooting 50% on 3s against the Cavs, the Pistons slogged their way to 14.3% beyond the arc in the first half Saturday, May 9, in a 116-109 loss.
The Pistons still lead the series, 2-1, with Game 4 set for Monday night in Cleveland before the series returns to Detroit for a Game 5 on Wednesday night, with the time yet to be announced.
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.
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.
Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Q&A
What was the final score of the Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3?
The final score was 116-109 in favor of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
How did the Pistons perform in terms of three-point shooting in Game 3?
The Pistons shot only 14.3% from three-point range in the first half of Game 3.
What is the current series status between the Pistons and Cavaliers?
The Pistons currently lead the series 2-1 against the Cavaliers.
When is Game 4 of the Pistons vs Cavaliers series scheduled?
Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night in Cleveland.
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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.
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.
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.
1 / 6
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-0 lead over Cavs in East semifinals
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.
1 / 6
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-0 lead over Cavs in East semifinals
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.
2 / 6
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-0 lead over Cavs in East semifinals
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.
3 / 6
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-0 lead over Cavs in East semifinals
Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
4 / 6
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-0 lead over Cavs in East semifinals
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.
5 / 6
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-0 lead over Cavs in East semifinals
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.
6 / 6
See Detroit Pistons go for 3-0 lead over Cavs in East semifinals
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.
After trailing by 16 at the half, and 17 early in the third quarter, the Pistons fought back with an 16-2 run to take a 76-74 lead with 2:28 remaining in the third. The Cavs answered with a 9-0 run, seemingly answering the Pistons, but a wild sequence in the final 6 seconds saw Tobias Harris beat the shot clock with a 14-footer, get fouled and complete the three-point play, then convert a layup after Caris LeVert stole the inbounds, to make it a two-point game going into the final frame.
But the Cavs rediscovered their offense a third of the way through the fourth, using a 7-0 run to get just enough breathing room to avoid falling into the 3-0 hole no NBA team has ever climbed out of.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with a triple-double – 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists – and Harris added to his streak of playoff games with at least 20 points – now at eight straight – to finish at 21 points.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 34points and nine rebounds, and James Harden, the goat of Game 2, redeemed himself with several key fourth-quarter baskets to finish with 19 points.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates a play against Detroit Pistons during the first half of Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates a play against Detroit Pistons during the first half of Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
A first half to forget
The Pistons built a seven-point lead in the first quarter, but couldn’t hold it, heading into the second down, 32-30.
But the Pistons struggled from beyond the arc as the Cavs stretched the lead to five going into the final five minutes of the half. And then it became the Donovan Mitchell show, as the Cleveland star sparked a 14-4 run, aided by a multitude of Detroit offensive fouls.
The Pistons finished the first half with 15 fouls, though the Cavs only went to the line for 16 free throws, making nine of them. Detroit, meanwhile, had 14 free throws, making 10 – 71.4%. It wa the only shooting performance the Pistons could take pride in, as they struggled inside the arc (16-for-34, 41.1%) and were abysmal (2-for-14, 14.3%) outside it.
Cunningham finished tied for the team lead in scoring at the half, with 10 points, but on 4-for-14 shooting, including a 1-for-4 mark on 3s. Tobias Harris matched Cunningham with 10 points on 3-for-6 shooting.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) makes a jump shot against Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) during the first half of Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) makes a jump shot against Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) during the first half of Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Mitchell, meanwhile, dominated the action, putting up 20 points, five rebounds and three assists in 17 minutes. Jarrett Allen was an efficient 5-for-7 for 13 points, while James Harden hit two of his three 3-point tries en route to eight points, adding five assists.
Next up for the Pistons
Game 4 will also be in Cleveland, with tipoff set for Monday (8 p.m., NBC). After that, it’s a trip back to Detroit for Game 5 on Wednesday. Should the Cavs win either of those, Game 6 is scheduled for Friday in Cleveland, while a potential Game 7 would be on Sunday, May 17, in Detroit.
The winner of this series advances to the Eastern Conference finals against the winner of the other East semi; the New York Knicks lead the Philadelphia 76ers, 3-0, with Game 4 of that series scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.