Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3 live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs second-round series

Yahoo Sports2h ago11 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

The Pistons lead the Cavaliers 2-0 in their NBA playoff series. Game 3 is crucial for Cleveland, who must improve their shooting and reduce turnovers to stay competitive.

Key points

Pistons lead the series 2-0 against the Cavaliers
Cavaliers struggling with three-point shooting
Cleveland has committed more turnovers than Detroit
Cade Cunningham has been a standout player for Detroit
Game 3 is critical for Cleveland's playoff hopes

Detroit PistonsCleveland CavaliersCade CunninghamDonovan Mitchell

*Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3 live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs second-round series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.* This Eastern Conference Semifinal series heads to Cleveland. The Pistons hold a 2-0 series lead. Game 3's are rarely a "must win" situation, but in this series that seems almost accurate. Through two games, the Pistons have been the better, more disciplined team. Detroit is winning the turnover battle, and Cleveland is shooting entirely too many three point shots considering how few they make. Many of the turnovers are not forced turnovers by Detroit. Cleveland is simply committing bad unforced turnovers at critical moments in games. Analytics dictates that a high volume of threes leads to more wins. However, in Game 2, Cleveland made only 7 of 32. In Game 2 Cleveland shot 22% while Detroit shot 50% (14 of 28). Live by the three, die by the three only works if a team shoots above a certain percentage. Detroit seems to have an answer for everything Cleveland throws at them. Cleveland also has not been able to contain Cade Cunningham at any of phase of the game through the first two. The Cavs must get more volume scoring from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. If Cleveland can get what is expected from Mitchell, Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen they can make this a series. However, they have yet to do that in this series. **NBA PLAYOFFS HQ:**Live scores | Full schedule |

Q&A

What is the current score of the Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3?

As of the latest update, the Cavaliers lead the Pistons 83-81 after three quarters.

How many three-pointers did the Cavaliers make in Game 2?

The Cavaliers made only 7 of 32 three-point attempts in Game 2, resulting in a shooting percentage of 22%.

Who are the key players for the Cavaliers in the playoffs?

Key players for the Cavaliers include Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.

What are the Pistons' strengths in the series against the Cavaliers?

The Pistons have excelled in discipline, winning the turnover battle, and shooting effectively, particularly from the field.

	DET	CLE
FG	31-70	32-54
Field Goal %	44	59
3PT	4-17	9-24
Three Point %	24	38
FT	15-19	10-18
Free Throw %	79	56
Rebounds	32	23
Offensive Rebounds	14	1
Defensive Rebounds	18	22
Assists	16	19
Steals	11	1
Blocks	3	6
Total Turnovers	11	13
Points Conceded Off Turnovers	20	17
Fast Break Points	11	4
Points in Paint	52	40
Fouls	17	14
Technical Fouls	0	1
Flagrant Fouls	0	0
Largest Lead	7	17
Percent Led	23	70
The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the Detroit Pistons 83-81 after three quarters.
3rd Quarter-0:30:Donovan Mitchell makes an 8-foot jumper.
3rd Quarter-1:03: Donovan Mitchell makes a 12-foot driving floater.
3rd Quarter-1:45: Jaylon Tyson makes a 22-foot three-point shot.
3rd Quarter-1:54: Max Struss makes a layup.
3rd Quarter-2:28: Paul Reed makes a dunk.
3rd Quarter-3:05: Cade Cunningham makes a 1-foot running pull up jump shot.
3rd Quarter-3:32: Cade Cunningham makes a 13-foot step back jumper.

	DET	CLE
FG	18-48	24-35
Field Goal %	38	69
3PT	2-14	7-13
Three Point %	14	54
FT	10-14	9-16
Free Throw %	71	56
Rebounds	21	17
Offensive Rebounds	12	1
Defensive Rebounds	9	16
Assists	9	14
Steals	7	0
Blocks	2	5
Total Turnovers	9	8
Points Conceded Off Turnovers	13	8
Fast Break Points	6	4
Points in Paint	32	28
Fouls	15	10
Technical Fouls	0	0
Flagrant Fouls	0	0
Largest Lead	7	16
Percent Led	33	61
The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the Detroit Pistons 64-48 at the half.
Donovan Mitchell is the 4th youngest active player to reach 2,000 playoff points, behind only Lebron James, Kevin Durant and Nikola Jokic.

	DET	CLE
FG	11-24	13-18
Field Goal %	46	72
3PT	2-5	4-7
Three Point %	40	57
FT	6-8	2-3
Free Throw %	75	67
Rebounds	10	7
Offensive Rebounds	6	0
Defensive Rebounds	4	7
Assists	5	10
Steals	5	0
Blocks	1	4
Total Turnovers	4	6
Points Conceded Off Turnovers	7	8
Fast Break Points	4	2
Points in Paint	18	16
Fouls	3	4
Technical Fouls	0	0
Flagrant Fouls	0	0
Largest Lead	7	3
Percent Led	65	22
The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the Detroit Pistons 32-30 at the end of the 1st quarter.
1st Quarter-0:05: Evan Mobley blocked Cade Cunningham on a 5-foot shot. With that block, Evan Mobley is now 5th all time in playoff blocks in Cavaliers team history.
1st Quarter-0:29: Donovan Mitchell makes a 23-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-1:16: Dennis Schroder makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-1:38: Cade Cunningham makes a layup.
1st Quarter-2:27: Caris Levert makes a running dunk.

Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3 live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs second-round series

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

Related Articles

Giants ace Logan Webb goes on 15-day IL with right knee bursitis, ending consecutive start streak

Dolphins coach explains why he was surprised to get player in draft

Highlights! Dubois Brutalizes Wardley In Epic Blood Bath!

Alexander Rossi furious after IndyCar leaves him stranded on 170mph straight

James Harden, Donovan Mitchell propel Cavs to Game 3 win over Pistons despite extreme possession disparity

UFC 328 video: Jim Miller taps out Jared Gordon with nasty guillotine choke to extend all-time UFC win record

More from Sports

Cavaliers vs. Pistons live updates, highlights from NBA playoffs Game 3

Team Stats through 3 Quarters

1st Half Team Stats

1st Quarter Team Stats

How to Watch Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons

Saturday, May 9

Tip-off: 3 p.m. ET

TV: NBC/Peacock

More NBA Playoff news: