The Detroit Pistons aim to execute their winning strategy against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals after a narrow loss in Game 3. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasizes the importance of focusing on small details to secure a 3-1 series lead.
Key points
Pistons lost Game 3 to Cavaliers 116-109
Pistons aim to execute winning strategy in Game 4
Coach Bickerstaff emphasizes importance of small details
Game 4 scheduled for Monday at 8 p.m. on NBC
Pistons seek to take a 3-1 series lead
Detroit PistonsCleveland CavaliersCade Cunningham
CLEVELAND â The Detroit Pistons know the winning formula against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, they'll have to figure out how to execute it again.
They rallied from a 16-point deficit but couldnât complete the comeback in Game 3 on Saturday, May 9, falling 116-109 to cut their series lead to 2-1. Defensively, the first half was one of the Pistons' worst of the postseason. On the other end, they couldnât overcome three costly late turnovers from Cade Cunningham.
âI didnât think we executed as cleanly as we needed to and in order for us to be as successful as we wanted to be,â coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Sunday. âItâs all the small things, the details that weâve been really, really good at. We just had a few lapses yesterday.â
Here are the keys for the Pistons as they try to take a commanding 3-1 series lead on the road in Game 4 on Monday (8 p.m., NBC).
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) celebrates scoring a basket against Detroit Pistons during the second half of Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) celebrates scoring a basket against Detroit Pistons during the second half of Game 3 of second round of NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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The future Hall of Famer struggled in Games 1 and 2, but found his footing at home, scoring seven consecutive points for the Cavaliers in the final 90 seconds of Game 3. His stepback 3-pointer with 25 seconds remaining ended up being the clinching score.
Harden finished with 19 points and seven assists on 8-for-14 shooting. Combined with Donovan Mitchell, who led all scorers with 35 points and has been electric through three games, it made for a formidable Cavaliers offense. They shot 58.1% overall as a team. The Pistons won the possession battle with 91 shot attempts to Clevelandâs 74, but couldnât capitalize on it due to their poor defense.
The Pistons eliminated Harden in Game 2, holding him to 10 points on just 3-for-13 shooting, including no points in the final period. Beyond Cunningham and Ausar Thompson, the coaching staff could also lean more on Ron Holland. The second-year forward had success defensively against Harden in Game 2, but only played four minutes in Game 3.
â[Itâs] just where weâre surrounding them and how weâre surrounding them, and keeping them in the direction we want them to go,â Bickerstaff said of the Pistons' defensive philosophy against Harden and Mitchell. âFelt like last night in particular, we were taking all their moves instead of just keeping the ball and dictating where we want it to go, and then the four guys around being in the proper position because we know they are elite one on one players. It should never feel like a one-on-one game and we have to do a better job of that.â
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.
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.
The 22-year-old big has been inconsistent throughout the postseason. Games 1 and 2 featured two of his finer performances, particularly on the defensive end. Game 3 was a regression â he too frequently failed to challenge shots at the rim and grabbed just four rebounds in nearly 30 minutes.
Though he finished with 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting, he has had issues on the offensive end too. Duren has fumbled passes that were previously automatic for him through four seasons. He appears less aggressive and more indecisive with the ball in his hands.
In the third quarter, Thompson found Duren downhill for what wouldâve been an open dunk, had Duren realized his proximity to the rim. Instead, Duren brought the ball back, posted up Harden and missed a jump hook.
Bickerstaff has said often that itâs not about points for Duren, but everything else he brings. But his inability to score consistently highlights how uncharacteristic his play has been compared to his All-Star form previously this season. The Pistons need him to be himself.
âItâs not points for us for him,â Bickerstaff said. âI know people want to harp on that but he just has to do the right thing and I think heâs done that. His roles and his abilities to take gravity to the basket has opened up plays for Tobias (Harris) on the perimeter, or Duncan [Robinson] on the perimeter. If they make the decision that thatâs what they want to do, he just has to do the right thing and I think he has.â
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
Will Cade Cunningham get his turnovers under control?
Given the offensive load Cunningham has carried in the playoffs, itâs not surprising that has come with high turnover numbers. Itâs not the volume, though. Itâs the timing.
He committed three turnovers in the final 2Âœ minutes Saturday, killing the Pistonsâ chances of winning. A 3-pointer from Robinson tied the game at 104 with 3:14 to play. With 2:28 on the clock, Cunningham's inbounds pass was intercepted by Max Strus, who finished a fastbreak bucket to give Cleveland the lead.
Cunningham then turned the ball over on their following two possessions, with a bad entry pass to Duren and then a misplaced kickout pass in the corner to Harris with 1:29 to go. Cunningham followed with a thunderous dunk and a 3-pointer, but the damage was done.
The Pistons can live with turnovers, but they need Cunningham to be at his best in crunch time.
âWe did our job getting back into the game,â Cunningham said Saturday. âFourth quarter, turnovers, they had a couple of opportunities out in transition and stuff. A couple bad ones where we donât get the ball on rim, inbound the ball, little things that, just careless turnovers. I wouldnât even say careless â I care about it â but just bad plays that couldâve got shots on rim and couldâve gave us an opportunity to win this game.â
Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 4 prediction
The Cavaliers looked rejuvenated in Cleveland after two poor efforts in Detroit. Even so, they couldn't hold onto a 16-point halftime advantage for even a full quarter, with the Pistons taking the lead late in the third with a 28-9 run. On Saturday, the Pistons lacked their usual attention to detail. On Monday, they should get back on track and set up a potential series-clinching Game 5 in Detroit on Wednesday. The pick: Pistons 114, Cavaliers 110.
