The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Detroit Pistons for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Here’s how to watch live on TV.
How to Watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons on May 5, 2026
You can watch the Detroit Pistons take on the Cleveland Cavaliers live on DIRECTV on Peacock on May 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons — Game Preview
The Detroit Pistons host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Little Caesars Arena, a matchup that pits the East’s top seed against the fourth-seeded club in what could be one of the more competitive series left in the bracket.
Detroit finished the regular season at 60-22, the best record in the Eastern Conference, and did it behind Cade Cunningham’s emergence as one of the league’s premier offensive forces. Cleveland (52-30) earned this spot the hard way, grinding through a seven-game first-round series against Toronto that ended when Jarrett Allen put up 22 points and 19 rebounds in Game 7. Cunningham has been nearly unstoppable in the postseason, averaging 32.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game in the first round, second in the entire playoffs only to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in scoring. Detroit is also coached by J.B. Bickerstaff, who was fired by Cleveland before the 2024-25 season, giving tonight a subtext of unfinished business on both sidelines.
This is Game 1 of the series.
Streaming
Peacock
What Time is the Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game Today?
The Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons game starts at 7:00 PM ET.
Where Can I Watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons?
You can watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons on Peacock.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons — 2026 Playoffs Series Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Venue | TV | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | May 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Little Caesars Arena — Detroit, MI | Peacock | — |
| Game 2 | May 7, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Little Caesars Arena — Detroit, MI | Prime | TBD |
| Game 3 | May 9, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse — Cleveland, OH | NBC | TBD |
| Game 4 | May 11, 2026 | 8:00 PM | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse — Cleveland, OH | NBC | TBD |
| Game 5* | May 13, 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6* | May 15, 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7* | May 17, 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Players to Watch: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons
Cleveland Cavaliers
Evan Mobley — F/C. Averaged 18.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in Cleveland’s first-round series against Toronto. Mobley gives the Cavaliers a versatile big man who can score in the post, attack the rim in transition and switch defensively on the perimeter against Cunningham — making him the most important matchup piece for Cleveland in this series.
Jarrett Allen — C. Delivered one of his finest playoff performances in Game 7 against Toronto, finishing with 22 points and 19 rebounds to punch Cleveland’s ticket to the second round. Allen’s physicality and rebounding in the paint will be critical against a Detroit front line that generates a lot of its production in the interior.
Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham — G. Averaged 32.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game in Detroit’s first-round series, the fifth-most first-round points in NBA playoff history. Cunningham can create his own shot in isolation, find open shooters under pressure and get to the free-throw line at will — and he enters this series as one of the two or three most dangerous offensive players left in the 2026 playoffs.
What is the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Series Record?
This is Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals series between Cleveland and Detroit. The two teams split their regular-season matchups 2-2, setting up what figures to be a tightly contested seven-game series.
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