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After going down 2-0 to the Detroit Pistons, the Cleveland Cavaliers have crawled back to knot the series at two each. Game 5 will mark the turning point to control the series' momentum.
The Cavs were down four points at halftime, when Donovan Mitchell took over game 4. He set a playoff record 39 second-half points en route to a 9-point victory in Cleveland. James Harden lent a hand, with 24 points of his own, alongside 11 assists.
In a bizarre turn of events for Detroit, the leading scorer was not Cade Cunningham but Caris LeVert, who started the game on the bench. LeVert averaged just 7.4 points in the regular season, but exploded for 24 in Game 4. This is the type of bench production that Detroit was seeking throughout the playoffs.
For Detroit to win a trip to the Conference Finals, they'll need to see that same leap out of their entire roster. It can't be the Cade Cunningham show every night. Despite the Game 4 loss, there was a pleasant step in the right direction for Pistons fans.
Will the Cavs continue to get this level of production out of Mitchell and Harden? Likely not, but the regression won't be severely limited. The major issues for the Cavs in Game 4 were three-point percentage and points in the paint. Should Mitchell and Harden go cold, the Cavs will need Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the front court.
Here's what you need to know about Wednesday's matchup between the Pistons and Cavs, including broadcast information and start time.
What channel is Pistons vs. Cavs on today?
- TV channel: ABC/ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN app
Pistons vs. Cavs Game 5 will be broadcast by ABC/ESPN and will stream live on the ESPN app.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere—only in the ESPN app.
Pistons vs. Cavs start time
- Date: Wednesday, May 13
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs series between Pistons and Cavs is set to tip off at 8:00 p.m. ET from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
Pistons vs. Cavs series schedule
Series tied 2-2
| May 5 | Game 1: Pistons 111, Cavs 101 | — | — |
| May 7 | Game 2: Pistons 107, Cavs 97 | — | — |
| May 9 | Game 3: Cavs 116, Pistons 109 | — | — |
| May 11 | Game 4: Cavs 112, Pistons 103 | — | — |
| May 13 | Game 5 at Detroit | 8 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, DIRECTV |
| May 15 | Game 6 at Cleveland | TBD | TBD |
| May 17 | Game 7 at Detroit* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
NBA Playoffs bracket 2026
Click here for the updated 2026 NBA Playoffs bracket from The Sporting News.
NBA Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026
Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason.
| Play-In Tournament | April 14-17 |
| First round begins | April 18 |
| Conference semifinals begin | May 4* |
| NBA Draft Lottery | May 10 |
| Eastern Conference finals begin | May 19* |
| Western Conference finals begin | May 20* |
| NBA Finals begin | June 3 |
| NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary) | June 19 |
| NBA Draft | June 23-24 |
* Can move up depending on earlier series
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