Pistons vs Cavaliers final score, results: Pistons force a Game 7 with Jalen Duren’s best game of the series originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Detroit Pistons have defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-94 in Game 6, forcing a Game 7 in Detroit. This was not a story of two different halves. It was a story of one quarter vs the remaining three. In the first quarter, neither team had more than a three-point lead. In the second quarter, the Pistons began to create separation. In the second half, Detroit enjoyed leads between 11 and 17 points.
Unlike most games in this series, there was no one player carrying either team. The high scorer in this game was James Harden with 23, while Cleveland had two other starters with 18. As for Detroit, Cade Cunningham led the way with 21, but Detroit had four starters in double figures and two players off the bench that combined for 31 points, going 5-for-8 from three.
Detroit was the clear aggressor through most of the game, while Cleveland seemed sluggish. Donovan Mitchell’s 18 points on 6-of-20 shooting and 2-for-6 from three just is not going to cut it. The Cavaliers are not built to win playoff games if Mitchell and Harden aren’t combining for at least 50. In addition, the Cavaliers got a bad shooting night from Evan Mobley and the fifth starter Dean Wade only added three points in 22 minutes.
After this dominating performance by the Pistons, momentum has swung back to Detroit as they prepare for a Game 7 at home. A very noteworthy bright spot for Detroit is the return to expectation for Jalen Duren. He contributed 15 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks while shooting 70% from the floor in 27 minutes. If they can get that again from Duren and Cade Cunningham is still Cade Cunningham, it should spell good news for Detroit on Sunday.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons live updates, highlights from NBA playoffs Game 6
Together through everything 🤝 pic.twitter.com/g56UJklnvT
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 16, 2026
Final Game Team Stats
| DET | CLE | |
|---|---|---|
| FG | 43-82 | 30-78 |
| Field Goal % | 52 | 38 |
| 3PT | 16-36 | 12-35 |
| Three Point % | 44 | 34 |
| FT | 13-19 | 22-30 |
| Free Throw % | 68 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 43 | 40 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 13 | 16 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 30 | 24 |
| Assists | 25 | 15 |
| Steals | 9 | 9 |
| Blocks | 7 | 3 |
| Total Turnovers | 18 | 19 |
| Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 17 | 25 |
| Fast Break Points | 14 | 8 |
| Points in Paint | 48 | 26 |
| Fouls | 22 | 18 |
| Technical Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant Fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Largest Lead | 22 | 6 |
| Percent Led | 80 | 16 |
YOU KNOW THE PISTONS WON AGAIN pic.twitter.com/6VBe4vRWEb
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 16, 2026
The Detroit Pistons have defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-94 in Game 6
4th Quarter-1:19: Paul Reed makes a 24-foot three-point shot.
4th Quarter-2:00: Jaylon Tyson makes a 9-foot floater.
4th Quarter-2:22: Daniss Jenkins makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
4th Quarter-3:00: Jalen Duren makes a two-point shot.
4th Quarter-3:37: Daniss Jenkins makes a 22-foot three-point shot.
4th Quarter-3:56: Ausar Thompson has fouled out. Jarrett Allen makes both free throws.
4th Quarter-4:31: James Harden makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
4th Quarter-4:42: Paul Reed makes a two-point shot.
4th Quarter-6:07: Dean Wade slips on the floor Tobias Harris picks up the loose ball and makes a running dunk.
Unc getting up pic.twitter.com/oHKNixhxTL
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 16, 2026
4th Quarter-6:40: Jalen Duren makes a layup.
4th Quarter-7:14: James Harden makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
4th Quarter-7:46: Evan Mobley makes a 1-foot tip in dunk.
4th Quarter-8:08: Jalen Duren makes a turnaround jump shot.
BIG DAWG MOVES × 2 pic.twitter.com/vXA7ZbwHpK
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 16, 2026
4th Quarter-9:37: Donovan Mitchell makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
4th Quarter-10:03: Donovan Mitchell makes a driving layup.
4th Quarter-10:20: Marcus Sasser makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
4th Quarter-11:16: Evan Mobley makes a 23-foot three-point shot.
Needed that one from the corner! @evanmobley | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/K5ABb7M2Z5
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 16, 2026
4th Quarter-11:46: Duncan Robinson makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
The Detroit Pistons leads the Cleveland Cavaliers 84-70 after three quarters
3rd Quarter-0:01: Marcus Sasser makes a 1-foot running jumper.
SASSER TO FINISH THE THIRD pic.twitter.com/F7Y2QBwmAA
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 16, 2026
3rd Quarter-0:28: Paull Reed makes a layup.
3rd Quarter-1:10: Evan Mobley makes a 1-foot dunk.
3rd Quarter-1:37: Paul Reed makes a layup.
3rd Quarter-2:07: Duncan Robinson makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
3rd Quarter-3:26: Sam Merrill makes a driving layup.
3rd Quarter-4:00: Sam Merrill makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
3rd Quarter-4:22: Duncan Robinson makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
3rd Quarter-4:53: Paul Reed makes a driving layup. Fouled on the play. Reed made the extra free throw.
3rd Quarter-5:24: Jarrett Allen makes a two-point shot.
Both teams have been scoreless for almost 3 minutes of game action
3rd Quarter-8:06: James Harden makes a 14-foot fade away jump shot.
3rd Quarter-8:50: Ausar Thompson makes a tip in dunk.
3rd Quarter-9:28: Daniss Jenkins makes a driving layup.
3rd Quarter-10:21: Daniss Jenkins makes a 23-foot three-point shot.
3rd Quarter-10:59: Tobias Harris makes a running layup.
3rd Quarter-11:36: Cade Cunningham makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
1st Half Team Stats
| DET | CLE | |
|---|---|---|
| FG | 20-40 | 18-36 |
| Field Goal % | 50 | 50 |
| 3PT | 7-18 | 7-17 |
| Three Point % | 39 | 41 |
| FT | 7-12 | 8-12 |
| Free Throw % | 58 | 67 |
| Rebounds | 20 | 18 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 5 | 4 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 15 | 14 |
| Assists | 13 | 10 |
| Steals | 6 | 6 |
| Blocks | 1 | 2 |
| Total Turnovers | 11 | 13 |
| Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 14 | 17 |
| Fast Break Points | 8 | 4 |
| Points in Paint | 24 | 16 |
| Fouls | 10 | 12 |
| Technical Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant Fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Largest Lead | 12 | 6 |
| Percent Led | 60 | 31 |
The Detroit Pistons lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 54-51 at halftime
2nd Quarter-1:02: Max Strus makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-1:31: Donovan Mitchell makes a running dunk.
SPIDA STEAL. SPIDA SLAM. @spidadmitchell | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/k6ikRXgodr
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 16, 2026
2nd Quarter-2:02: Jalen Duren makes a driving layup.
2nd Quarter-2:45: Jarrett Allen makes a 1-foot dunk.
The Fro with the flush! #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/wVyyRTNdEN
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 16, 2026
2nd Quarter-2:57: Cade Cunningham makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-3:25: Max Strus makes a 23-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-4:01: Jarrett Allen makes a finger roll layup.
2nd Quarter-4:18: Cade Cunningham makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-5:26: Dean Wade makes a 23-foot three-point shot.
👌 DEANER! @deanwade3232 | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/MwfWdEvoi2
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 16, 2026
2nd Quarter-5:42: Jalen Duren makes a driving layup.
2nd Quarter-6:10: Caris Levert makes an 11-foot fade away jump shot.
2nd Quarter-6:38: Sam Merrill makes a 22-foot three-point shot.
🎂 A birthday triple! @smerrill05 | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/EXDx2RcBS4
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 16, 2026
2nd Quarter-8:04: Ausar Thompson shoved Sam Merrill through a pick. Foul elevated to a flagrant one for hand contact to the neck area. Merrill hit both free throws.
2nd Quarter-8:14: Ausar Thompson makes a two-point shot.
2nd Quarter-8:48: Donovan Mitchell makes a 13-foot driving floater.
2nd Quarter-9:30: Cade Cunningham makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
MotorCad3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/QjYyUBaud2
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 16, 2026
2nd Quarter-10:21: Cade Cunningham makes a 13-foot turnaround jump shot.
Cade is too smooth pic.twitter.com/2zfizwVtmf
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 15, 2026
2nd Quarter-10:53: Paul Reed makes an 8-foot shot.
2nd Quarter-11:47: Paul Reed makes a layup.
The Detroit Pistons lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 27-25 after the 1st quarter
1st Quarter-0:30: Caris Levert makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-1:25: Duncan Robinson makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-3:34: Evan Mobley makes a 24-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-4:14: Caris Levert makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-4:54: Jalen Duren makes a driving layup.
1st Quarter-5:13: James Harden makes a 12-foot step back jumper.
James for 2 (at the shot clock buzzer)! @JHarden13 | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/MkgGy0yQeA
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 15, 2026
1st Quarter-6:42: Jalen Duren makes a driving layup.
1st Quarter-7:00: Donovan Mitchell makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-7:40: James Harden makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
James for 3! @JHarden13 | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/wYFWhH76jb
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 15, 2026
1st Quarter-8:25: Jarrett Allen makes tip shot.
1st Quarter-8:43: Ausar Thompson makes a running layup. Fouled on the play. Thompson made the extra free throw.
Daniss with the bullseye to Ausar 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ZYmu117Y5Z
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 15, 2026
1st Quarter-9:01: Cade Cunningham makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-10:09: Evan Mobley makes an 11-foot fade away jump shot.
1st Quarter-10:16: Cade Cunningham makes a driving layup.
1st Quarter-11:08: James Harden makes a 12-foot floater.
James for 2! @JHarden13 | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/5NrBbD1tVZ
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 15, 2026
Jarrett & Evan are the first pair of Cavs teammates to average at least 1.80 BPG in the postseason, and first in the NBA since 2019. #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/QWTQbRKHmv
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 15, 2026
let’s hoop pic.twitter.com/sqPejLuYAC
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 15, 2026
It’s going to take all 19,432 of us. #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/xPxX1dH6sa
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 15, 2026
CLE📍 pic.twitter.com/vrM7rQVHjO
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 15, 2026
How to Watch Game 6 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Cleveland Cavaliers (3-2) vs Detroit Pistons (2-3)
Friday, May 15
Tip-off: 7 p.m. ET
TV: Amazon Prime Video
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