Cavaliers vs. Pistons live updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs 2nd round series originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons meet on Wednesday night in an important Game 5 matchup. Both teams are tied 2-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series with one team on the verge of elimination and the other on the verge of moving on. That’s what’s at stake in the Motor City.
Donovan Mitchell has led the Cavs by notching 43 points in Game 4. He has been the answer Cleveland has needed down the stretch in this series. Especially when James Harden hasn’t played his best. The Cavs haven’t won away from Cleveland in the playoffs and that must stop tonight to advance.
Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff will have to find the right pace in his lineup to keep the Cavs from jumping out to a huge lead. Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris can’t do it all and the rest of Detroit’s starting five will have to step up.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons live updates, highlights from NBA playoffs Game 5
1st Quarter-7:07: Evan Mobley makes a 3-foot running dunk.
1st Quarter-7:49: Ausar Thompson makes a 4-foot running dunk.
1st Quarter-8:21: James Harden makes a 6-foot floater.
1st Quarter-9:19: Jarrett Allen makes a 3-foot dunk.
Big ➡️ big. #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/s4FQkcYHey
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 14, 2026
1st Quarter-10:43: Daniss Jenkins makes a 20-foot running jumper.
1st Quarter-11:43: Daniss Jenkins makes a 23-foot three-point shot.
Donovan Mitchell scored 39 of his 43 points in the second half to secure Cleveland’s Game 4 win 🔥
Can he he pull off another stellar performance tonight?
CLE (2-2) DET I Game 5: 8:00 PM ET, ESPN pic.twitter.com/8qFt1lKrQK
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2026
“Pistons will take care of business tonight.” 🔥
Lou Williams & Chandler Parsons pick Detroit to win Game 5 🗣️
Michelle Beadle is “sick of being jerked around by the Cavs” 😅@MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23pic.twitter.com/zjTBVmglxO
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 13, 2026
Pistons or Cavs? 🤔
The crew weighs in on the 2-2 series 🏀 pic.twitter.com/lxCFHhk9Mi
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 12, 2026
How to Watch Game 5 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Cleveland Cavaliers (2-2) vs Detroit Pistons (2-2)
Wednesday, May 13
Tip-off: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
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