Where to watch Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 1 on a TV channel and stream on Peacock.
How Tobias Harris keyed Pistons’ Game 7 vanquish of Magic in NBA playoffs
Tobias Harris’ big night helped Detroit Pistons to Game 7 win vs Orlando Magic, Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Little Caesars Arena to advance to Eastern Conference semifinals in NBA playoffs.
The Detroit Pistons have survived and advanced to the second round.
It wasn’t pretty, with the Pistons needing seven hard-fought games to beat the Magic, but it wasn’t pretty for their opponent in the Eastern Conference semifinals either.
The 4-seed Cleveland Cavaliers needed seven games themselves to beat an inexperienced Toronto Raptors squad, finally getting the job done on Sunday with a 114-102 Game 7 win to seal the deal.
It sets up Game 1 of the new series on Tuesday, May 5, at Little Caesars Arena with a 7 p.m. tipoff on Peacock and NBCSN.
Get Pistons Game 1 playoff tickets here
The Pistons enter the series on an emotional high after barely staving off defeat in Game 6 with an epic comeback that carried over into a Game 7 win over a Magic squad that ran out of gas.
The Cavs, meanwhile, took a much different route, winning the first two games at home, then losing two on the road before alternating in Game 5s, 6 and 7.
It all makes for an exciting new series filled with star power on both sides, with Cade Cunningham showing on a national stage what he can do for the Pistons as Donovan Mitchell and James Harden stand in the way for the Cavs.
Here’s what we know about the Pistons’ playoff schedule against the Cavs.
Who do Pistons play next in NBA playoffs?
The Pistons will play the Cleveland Cavaliers, a Central Division rival in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons will host both Game 1 and Game 2, and potential Games 5 and 7.
What time is Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 1 in NBA playoffs?
Here’s when the Pistons vs Cavs Game 1 is for the second-round series:
- Time: 7 p.m. ET.
- Date: Tuesday, May 5.
- Location: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit.
Pistons vs Cavaliers channel in Game 1
- Channel: NBC Sports Network (NBCSN).
- Streaming: Peacock.
Game 1 of the second round for the Pistons and Cavs will take place on Tuesday, May 5. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on NBCSN, with streaming available on Peacock.
Watch NBA playoffs on Peacock
Pistons tickets for Game 1 vs Cavaliers
Tickets for Game 1 of Cavaliers vs. Pistons on Tuesday, May 5, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit are going on StubHub for as low as $113, with no extra fees.
Pistons vs Cavaliers odds for Game 1
The Pistons are the favorite against the Cavs for Game 1 at home, but it’s much closer than the spread was for Game 7 against the Magic.
- Spread: Pistons by 3½ points.
- Over/under: 215½ points.
- Moneyline: DET (-155), CLE (+125).
Odds provided by BetMGM as of Monday afternoon.
Pistons vs Cavaliers schedule in NBA playoffs
- Game 1, Tuesday, May 5: Cavs at Pistons, 7 p.m., Peacock/NBCSN.
- Game 2, Thursday, May 7: Cavs at Pistons, 7 p.m., Prime Video
- Game 3, Saturday, May 9: Pistons at Cavs, 3 p.m., NBC/Peacock
- Game 4, Monday, May 11: Pistons at Cavs, 8 p.m., NBC/Peacock
- Game 5, Wednesday, May 13: Cavs at Pistons, TBA (if necessary)
- Game 6, Friday, May 15: Pistons at Cavs, TBA (if necessary)
- Game 7, Sunday, May 17: Cavs at Pistons, TBA (if necessary)
*If necessary.
2026 NBA playoffs bracket
Here’s the other side of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
76ers vs Knicks schedule dates and times
- Game 1: 76ers at Knicks, Monday, May 4, 8 p.m., NBC/Peacock
- Game 2: 76ers at Knicks, Wednesday, May 6, 7 p.m., ESPN
- Game 3: Knicks at 76ers, Friday, May 8, 7 p.m., Prime Video
- Game 4: Knicks at 76ers, Sunday, May 10, 3:30 p.m., ABC
- Game 5: 76ers at Knicks, Tuesday, May 12*
- Game 6: Knicks at 76ers, Thursday, May 14*
- Game 7: 76ers at Knicks, Sunday, May 17*
See the entire 2026 NBA playoffs bracket here.
When is 2026 NBA Finals?
The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on June 3 and can end anytime between June 10-17.
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You can reach Andrew at abirkle@freepress.com.
Christian Romo contributed to this reporting.
