The Cavaliers and Pistons are familiar division foes. Cleveland holds the all time series lead 15-6 and are 7-3 over the last ten. However, the 2025-26 regular seasons series are split, 2-2.
This matchup pins two teams against each other that are at very different places in their respective journeys. The Pistons are a young ascending team, while the Cavaliers are in must win now mode. James Harden was a new addition this season, but the core of Mitchell, Mobley and Allen have been together for a few years and have been unable to get out of the second round since 2018.
The Pistons are the Eastern Conference overall No. 1 seed and had the 3rd best record in the NBA this season. In game 7 vs the Raptors, Jarrett Allen led the team with 22 points and 19 rebounds, while Mitchell and Harden only combined for 40 combined. In order to make this a competitive series, Cleveland will need to get more from their star backcourt. Whereas, the Pistons simply need Cade Cunningham to continue his production and get good defense work from Amen Thompson and Jalen Duren.
NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live scores | Full schedule | Updated bracket
Cavaliers vs Pistons live updates, highlights from Game 1 of NBA playoffs
Congrats to @JHarden13 of the @cavs for moving up to 18th on the all-time playoff GAMES PLAYED list!
NBA Playoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/EwxzujrlR8
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2026
1st Half Team Stats
| CLE | DET | |
|---|---|---|
| FG | 15-39 | 18-42 |
| Field Goal % | 38 | 43 |
| 3PT | 8-22 | 6-13 |
| Three Point % | 36 | 46 |
| FT | 8-8 | 17-22 |
| Free Throw % | 100 | 77 |
| Rebounds | 20 | 24 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 4 | 7 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 16 | 17 |
| Assists | 10 | 12 |
| Steals | 5 | 6 |
| Blocks | 2 | 1 |
| Total Turnovers | 12 | 6 |
| Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 20 | 7 |
| Fast Break Points | 0 | 7 |
| Points in Paint | 14 | 18 |
| Fouls | 11 | 10 |
| Technical Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Largest Lead | 5 | 18 |
| Percent Led | 12 | 85 |
2nd Quarter-0:31: Cade Cunningham is fouled behind the three point line by Dean Wade. Cunningham made 2 of the 3 free throws.
2nd Quarter-3:02: Evan Mobley makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-3:40: Keon Ellis makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
Go on then, @Tyrese_Ellis00! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/AlNFGrvbCW
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 6, 2026
2nd Quarter-4:09: James Harden makes a 24-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-4:23: Ausar Thompson makes a 1-foot dunk.
#OnePride is in the building! @Lions pic.twitter.com/0XUDHUVLYR
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 5, 2026
2nd Quarter-5:33: Tobias Harris makes a 23-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-6:35: Ausar Thompson makes a driving layup.
Since you asked https://t.co/Bc9uDgV47V pic.twitter.com/gY7jyRlXMz
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 5, 2026
2nd Quarter-8:11: Max Struss makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-8:28: Duncan Robinson makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-9:17: Isaiah Stewart makes a 1-foot dunk.
2nd Quarter-9:35: Donovan Mitchell makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
Spida continues to dominant on the floor with a game-high 14 PTS in the beginning minutes of the second quarter. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/s4YAynrxKJ
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 5, 2026
2nd Quarter-10:41: Ausar Thompson makes a two-point shot.
2nd Quarter-11:23: Donovan Mitchell makes a 12-foot floating jump shot.
1st Quarter Team Stats
| CLE | DET | |
|---|---|---|
| FG | 8-22 | 11-23 |
| Field Goal % | 36 | 48 |
| 3PT | 3-9 | 4-6 |
| Three Point % | 33 | 67 |
| FT | 2-2 | 11-12 |
| Free Throw % | 100 | 92 |
| Rebounds | 12 | 12 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 3 | 3 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 9 | 9 |
| Assists | 5 | 7 |
| Steals | 0 | 3 |
| Blocks | 1 | 0 |
| Total Turnovers | 6 | 0 |
| Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 12 | 0 |
| Fast Break Points | 0 | 4 |
| Points in Paint | 10 | 8 |
| Fouls | 6 | 4 |
| Technical Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Largest Lead | 5 | 18 |
| Percent Led | 24 | 71 |
1st Quarter-0:07: Javonte Green makes a 27-foot three-point shot to close out the quarter.
Javonte Green beats the Q1 buzzer 🎯
Pistons head into Q2 with a 16-point lead in Game 1! pic.twitter.com/fxP8WwMh2B
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2026
1st Quarter-0:57: Max Struss makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-1:41: Jales Duren makes a 19-foot jump shot.
1st Quarter-3:03: Isaiah Stewart makes a layup, assisted by Thompson.
1st Quarter-3:25: Cade Cunningham makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-4:51: Evan Mobley makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-5:39: Daniss Jenkins makes a running layup.
DJ THE DAWG pic.twitter.com/d8JvH6pG2s
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 5, 2026
1st Quarter-6:41: Tobias Harris makes a 1-foot layup, assisted by Duncan.
THE STEAL. THE ASSIST. THE FINISH. 😮💨 https://t.co/ypgZ02lLGK pic.twitter.com/RC5cF8bXEW
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 5, 2026
1st Quarter-7:01: Cade Cunningham makes 14-foot fade away jumper.
1st Quarter-7:20: Donovan Mitchell makes a 8-foot floating jumper.
Signature. Spida.@spidadmitchell | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/tucgXmoz4F
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 5, 2026
1st Quarter-8:23: Duncan Robinson makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-9:18: Donovan Mitchell makes a 13-foot driving floater.
1st Quarter-9:34: Cade Cunningham makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-10:36: Donovan Mitchell makes a 26-foot three-point shot, assisted by Harden.
1st Quarter-11:32: Evan Mobley makes a 3-foot driving dunk.
EV4 muscles through for a put-back SLAM.@evanmobley | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/EakzJJEYYX
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 5, 2026
Tip Off shortly…
A look back at the Pistons’ last four matchups against the Cavaliers pic.twitter.com/Qf2TAZkDXq
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 5, 2026
First five @Kia pic.twitter.com/qSEbXc6BzY
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 5, 2026
AND. WE. ARE. OFF. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/qvmTaqrkSX
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 5, 2026