NBA Recap: Pistons Hold Off Cavaliers Rally to Take 1-0 Eastern Conference Semifinal Lead

Pistons avoid collapse, pull away late to beat Cavaliers in series opener |Image NBA.com

Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combined for 45 points for Cleveland, but Detroit held on for the Game 1 victory behind balanced scoring and a strong fourth quarter.

Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson combined for 39 points as the Pistons opened their semifinal series with a win over the Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena...

Cade Cunningham dropped 23 points to lead the Detroit Pistons past the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-101 in Game 1 on Tuesday, giving Detroit a 1-0 edge in the NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The top-seeded Pistons appeared to have the game in hand early, building a 17-point advantage during the third quarter after a dominant first-half showing.

Cleveland mounted a late push and trimmed the deficit to four, but Detroit responded down the stretch and re-established control in the fourth to close it out.

DETROIT'S DEFENSE COMES UP BIG!

😤 12 STL
😤 3 BLK

PISTONS WIN GAME 1 🍿 pic.twitter.com/RxxHostabP

— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2026

Cunningham headlined a balanced Detroit attack with six players scoring in double figures. Tobias Harris added 20 points, and Duncan Robinson hit five three-pointers en route to a 19-point performance at Little Caesars Arena.

Off the bench, Daniss Jenkins contributed 12 points, while Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren each finished with 11.

For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell led the way with 23 points and four threes. James Harden recorded 22 points along with eight rebounds and seven assists.

“It was a great team win - defending the ball, rebounding the ball,” Cunningham told NBC television.

“We've got a great system in place. You've got somebody who will come in behind you whenever you get tired.

“But it's one win, we've got to come back and do it again.“

Detroit fought its way into the conference semifinals after erasing a 3-1 deficit to take down Orlando 4-3 in the opening round.

THAT ONE FELT GOOD pic.twitter.com/sQ8uz8s1cc

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 6, 2026

Cunningham said the Pistons are determined not to let that same situation play out again.

“At home, you've got to protect home court. We didn't do that in the last series so we want do that this series,” Cunningham said.

“They want to come in and steal one, so we've got to do this again the day after tomorrow.”

Protected the crib tonight pic.twitter.com/Jos5ABEIdx

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 6, 2026