DETROIT — The first moves in an NBA playoff chess match between Cavaliers coachKenny Atkinsonand his Cleveland predecessor,J.B. Bickerstaff, will be executed whenthe CavaliersandDetroit Pistonsmeet inGame 1ofthe Eastern Conference semifinalson Tuesday, May 5, at Little Caesars Arena.
The fourth-seededCavsand top-seededPistonsadvanced to the second round with Game 7 wins overthe fifth-seeded Toronto Raptorsand eighth-seeded Orlando Magic, respectively. Now the Cavs will face Bickerstaff, who led them for four-plus seasons untilthe franchise fired himin 2024 and replaced him with Atkinson.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven series between the Cavs and Pistons is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. in Detroit. Check back here for updates throughout the showdown.
Below is some pregame information.
Where to watch Cavs game tonight:Cleveland Cavaliersvs. Detroit Pistons Game 1 TV, streaming and radio info
Game 1 between the Cavs and Pistons will be televised nationally by Peacock and NBC Sports Network. The local radio broadcast can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
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Cavs vs Pistons Game 1 starting lineup
Cleveland's official starters will be listed here when they are announced. Until then, here is a projected starting lineup:
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Point guard James Harden
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Guard Donovan Mitchell
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Forward Dean Wade
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Forward Evan Mobley
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Center Jarrett Allen
Pistons vs Cavs Game 1 starting lineup
Detroit's official starters will be listed here when they are announced. Until then, here is a projected starting lineup:
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Point guard Cade Cunningham
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Guard Duncan Robinson
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Forward Ausar Thompson
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Forward Tobias Harris
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Center Jalen Duren
Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 1 injury report
The Cavs did not list any players on their injury report for Game 1.
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Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 1 injury report
The Pistons listed wingKevin Huerter(left abductor strain) as questionable for Game 1.
Cavs playoffs:Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Game 1 injury report
Cavs playoff schedule. When does Cavaliers-Pistons series start?
Here is all of the scheduling information the NBA has announced thus far about the Cavs-Pistons series in the Eastern Conference semifinals:
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Game 1: Cavs at Pistons, 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, Peacock/NBC Sports Network
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Game 2: Cavs at Pistons, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, Prime Video
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Game 3: Pistons at Cavs, 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9, NBC/Peacock
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Game 4: Pistons at Cavs, 8 p.m. Monday, May 11, NBC/Peacock
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Game 5: Cavs at Pistons, TBD time Wednesday, May 13, TBD network, if necessary
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Game 6: Pistons at Cavs, time TBD Friday, May 15, TBD network, if necessary
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Game 7: Cavs at Pistons, time TBD Sunday, May 17, TBD network, if necessary
Eastern Conference playoff bracket 2026
Here are the second-round matchups:
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No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers; series tied 0-0
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No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers; series tied 0-0
Here are the first-round results:
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No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic; Pistons won series 4-3
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No. 2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers; 76ers won series 4-3
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No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 6 seed Atlanta Hawks; Knicks won series 4-2
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No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 seed Toronto Raptors; Cavs won series 4-3
Cleveland Cavaliers playoff history during their Donovan Mitchell era
This is the fourth consecutive season the Cavs have made the playoffs.
Here are the results from their previous three playoff appearances, all of which have occurred since the Cavs traded for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in 2022:
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2024-25: Lost 4-1 in second round to Indiana Pacers after sweeping Miami Heat 4-0 in first round
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2023-24: Lost 4-1 in second round to Boston Celtics after beating Orlando Magic 4-3 in first round
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2022-23: Lost 4-1 in first round to New York Knicks
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal:Cleveland Cavs score tonight vs Detroit Pistons, live Game 1 updates
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