How to live stream Cavaliers vs Pistons: NBA Playoffs, TV channel

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons open their Eastern Conference semifinal series Tuesday, with both teams coming off hard-fought seven-game wins and bringing very different identities into a matchup that has been razor-thin statistically.

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How to Watch Cavaliers vs Pistons

• When: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM ET
• TV Channel: NBCSN
• Live Stream: Peacock (watch now)

Cleveland enters as the No. 4 seed after a 52–30 regular season, riding momentum from a 114–102 Game 7 win over Toronto, where Jarrett Allen dominated with 22 points and 19 rebounds, helping fuel a decisive third-quarter run.

The Cavaliers have quietly been one of the more efficient offensive teams in the league and are led by Donovan Mitchell, who averaged nearly 28 points per game during the season. In the season series, Cleveland has had the edge historically and recently, including a 113–109 win in March despite Mitchell’s absence, highlighting their depth and ability to grind out close games.

– Live Stream Cavaliers vs Pistons with Peacock –

Detroit, however, comes in as the East’s top seed at 60–22 and arguably the hottest team in the playoffs after completing a 3–1 comeback against , capped by a dominant 116–94 Game 7 win behind ’s 32-point, 12-assist performance. The Pistons have leaned on physical defense and interior presence all season, and that identity has shown up in this matchup.