Cavs at Pistons Game 2: How to watch, odds, and injury report
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DETROIT, MI - MAY 5: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers had plenty of chances to steal Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons, but careless turnovers, an inability to secure defensive rebounds, questionable coaching, and overall bad offensive process kept them from doing so. Whether or not they can turn around will determine how this series goes.

Winning Game 2 will be tough. J.B. Bickerstaff-led teams are 5-1 in the playoffs. The lone Game 2 loss came when he was leading James Harden and the Houston Rockets in 2016.

Cleveland hopes to break that trend in Game 2. Heading back to Cleveland down 2-0 would mean they would have to win four of the last five games of the series. That isn’t an impossible task, but far from ideal.

Overall, the Cavs have struggled on the road in the playoffs. Since trading for Donovan Mitchell, they’re just 4-12 away from Cleveland. That trend needs to end if they want to make a deep postseason run.

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Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (0-1) at Detroit Pistons (1-0)

Where: Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI

When: Thur., May 7 at 7 PM

TV: Prime Video

Point spread: Pistons -3.5

Cavs injury report: Sam Merrill, – QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)

Pistons injury report: Kevin Huerter – DOUBTFUL (abductor strain)

Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Pistons expected starting lineup: Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Previous matchup: The Pistons took Game 1 due to suffocating defense on Cleveland’s guards.

Here’s a look at both teams’ regular-season impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.

Offensive RatingDefensive RatingNet Rating
Cavs118.9 (8th)115 (15th)+3.9 (9th)
Pistons118.3 (10th)109.5 (2nd)+8.8 (3rd)


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