Game 5 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons tips off tonight with the series tied 2-2, and the winner of this game earns the opportunity to clinch the series in Game 6 on Friday.
Home court has played a huge advantage so far in this Eastern Conference semifinals matchup. The Pistons won the first two games of the series in Detroit, and the Cavaliers responded by winning both games so far in Cleveland. Now, Game 5 will return to Detroit, where the Pistons will look to retake the series lead.
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The Cavaliers will be looking to continue the momentum they built in Games 3 and 4. Donovan Mitchell was unreal in the two games in Cleveland, totaling 78 points between the two contests. Mitchell dropped 43 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in the 112-103 Game 4 victory, where his 39 points in the second half tied a playoff record.
The Pistons will look to bounce back after back-to-back losses, with newly extended head coach J.B. Bickerstaff expressing frustration with officials after Game 4, pointing out that the Pistons attempted just 12 free throws as a team, while Mitchell shot 13 of 15 from the charity stripe himself.
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Detroit was led by Caris LeVert in Game 4, who had 24 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists off the bench. Star point guard Cade Cunningham had 19 points, while Tobias Harris added 16 points and eight rebounds.
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How to watch Cavaliers vs. Pistons in Game 5
Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Little Caesars Arena | Detroit
TV channel: ESPN
Live stream: ESPN Unlimited, DirecTV and more
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest as the Cavs and Pistons battle it out in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Live14 updatesWed, May 13, 2026 at 4:39 PM PDT
Ryan Young
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 6:59 PM PDT
Ryan Young
James Harden just drilled a perfect and-one bucket through Caris LeVert, and he’s up to eight in the quarter now.
The Pistons challenged the call and lost, too, so they are out of those the rest of the way. It’s a one-point game.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 6:53 PM PDT
Ryan Young
Asuar Thompson banged knees with James Harden, and looks pretty shaken up out there. He’s still in the game, but is limping a bit trying to shake it off.
Detroit’s lead is just 2 with 4:59 left in the third.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM PDT
Ryan Young
The Cavs aren’t going away here in the third. They’ve cut the deficit down to just two points now after a huge 3-pointer from James Harden.
We’ve got a game.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 6:16 PM PDT
Ryan Young
Detroit didn’t run away with it, but it maintained pace to close out the opening half. The Cavaliers committed 10 turnovers that led to 20 points in the first two quarters, too. Not great.
Cade Cunningham is up to 20 for Detroit. James Harden leads the Cavs with 13.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 6:08 PM PDT
Ryan Young
The Pistons opened the second quarter on an 18-5 tear and made their first eight shots, thanks in part to a massive defensive stand from Ausar Thompson.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 5:54 PM PDT
Ryan Young
Well, here come the Pistons. They’re on a 12-2 run now, capped by a short jumper from Tobias Harris in the corner, and they are a perfect 6-of-6 from the field.
Detroit’s lead is up to 11.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 5:48 PM PDT
Ryan Young
Jaylon Tyson and Tobias Harris got into a bit there just now, and then went nose-to-nose after everything was initially sorted.
Tyson earned a technical foul, and we’ll carry on normally. All is good, it seems.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 5:40 PM PDT
Ryan Young
The Pistons went 5-9 from the 3-point line in the first 12 minutes, and Cade Cunningham has 10 of their 29 points.
Donovan Mitchell rolled his ankle hard in the final seconds of the quarter, too, but he remained in the game.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 5:32 PM PDT
Ryan Young
Daniss Jenkins entered the starting lineup for Detroit, and took off immediately in what is his first ever playoff start.
But despite his early seven points, the Cavaliers lead now 21-19 with 2:55 left in the opening period.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 5:19 PM PDT
Ryan Young
Just before the game got started, both teams stopped to honor both Brandon Clarke and Jason Collins.
Clarke died on Monday in Southern California. Collins died on Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 5:15 PM PDT
Ryan Young
The Pistons have won the tip, and Game 5 is officially underway.
The Pistons are without Duncan Robinson tonight, too. He’s dealing with back problems.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 4:45 PM PDT
Teddy Ricketson
Game 5 between the Cavaliers and the Pistons is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
This will be a pivotal matchup as the winner will have the chance to clinch the series and a date with the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals on Friday night.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 3:30 PM PDT
Teddy Ricketson
Caris LeVert was the biggest surprise of Game 4. He came off the bench and dominated, finishing with 24 points in 31 minutes of action.
It was the most points that he had scored in a game for Detroit this season, but unfortunately, it still wasn’t enough to earn the Game 4 win.
LeVert is questionable for Game 5 with a right heel contusion. Kevin Huerter (left adductor strain) and Duncan Robinson (low back soreness) are also considered questionable for the game.