Pistons lead Cavaliers at halftime of Game 1: live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs second-round series

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Pistons lead Cavaliers at halftime of Game 1: live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs second-round series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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The Cavaliers and Pistons are familiar division foes. Cleveland holds the all time series lead 15-6 and are 7-3 over the last ten. However, the 2025-26 regular seasons series are split, 2-2. 

This matchup pins two teams against each other that are at very different places in their respective journeys. The Pistons are a young ascending team, while the Cavaliers are in must win now mode. James Harden was a new addition this season, but the core of Mitchell, Mobley and Allen have been together for a few years and have been unable to get out of the second round since 2018. 

The Pistons are the Eastern Conference overall No. 1 seed and had the 3rd best record in the NBA this season. In game 7 vs the Raptors, Jarrett Allen led the team with 22 points and 19 rebounds, while Mitchell and Harden only combined for 40 combined. In order to make this a competitive series, Cleveland will need to get more from their star backcourt. Whereas, the Pistons simply need Cade Cunningham to continue his production and get good defense work from Amen Thompson and Jalen Duren. 

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Cavaliers vs Pistons live updates, highlights from Game 1 of NBA playoffs

3rd Quarter-4:56: Dennis Schroder makes a running layup. 

3rd Quarter-6:12: Tobias Harris makes a running dunk. 

3rd Quarter-7:03: Max Struss makes a 24-foot three-point shot. 

3rd Quarter-7:40: Jarrett Allen makes a 4-foot shot. 

3rd Quarter-7:58: Ausar Thompson makes a running dunk. 

3rd Quarter-9:03: Dean Wade makes a tip shot. 

3rd Quarter-9:40: Evan Mobley makes a driving layup. 

3rd Quarter-10:23: Dean Wade makes a 22-foot three-point shot. 

3rd Quarter-10:44: Duncan Robinson makes a 27-foot three-point shot. 

3rd Quarter-11:37: Evan Mobley makes a 5-foot two-point shot. 

Start of the second half

1st Half Team Stats

CLEDETFG15-3918-42Field Goal %38433PT8-226-13Three Point %3646FT8-817-22Free Throw %10077Rebounds2024Offensive Rebounds47Defensive Rebounds1617Assists1012Steals56Blocks21Total Turnovers126Points Conceded Off Turnovers207Fast Break Points07Points in Paint1418Fouls1110Technical Fouls00Flagrant Fouls00Largest Lead518Percent Led1285

2nd Quarter-0:31: Cade Cunningham is fouled behind the three point line by Dean Wade. Cunningham made 2 of the 3 free throws. 

2nd Quarter-3:02: Evan Mobley makes a 25-foot three-point shot. 

2nd Quarter-3:40: Keon Ellis makes a 25-foot three-point shot. 

2nd Quarter-4:09: James Harden makes a 24-foot three-point shot. 

2nd Quarter-4:23: Ausar Thompson makes a 1-foot dunk. 

2nd Quarter-5:33: Tobias Harris makes a 23-foot three-point shot. 

2nd Quarter-6:35: Ausar Thompson makes a driving layup. 

2nd Quarter-8:11: Max Struss makes a 25-foot three-point shot. 

2nd Quarter-8:28: Duncan Robinson makes a 25-foot three-point shot. 

2nd Quarter-9:17: Isaiah Stewart makes a 1-foot dunk. 

2nd Quarter-9:35: Donovan Mitchell makes a 25-foot three-point shot. 

2nd Quarter-10:41: Ausar Thompson makes a two-point shot. 

2nd Quarter-11:23: Donovan Mitchell makes a 12-foot floating jump shot. 

1st Quarter Team Stats

CLEDETFG8-2211-23Field Goal %36483PT3-94-6Three Point %3367FT2-211-12Free Throw %10092Rebounds1212Offensive Rebounds33Defensive Rebounds99Assists57Steals03Blocks10Total Turnovers60Points Conceded Off Turnovers120Fast Break Points04Points in Paint108Fouls64Technical Fouls00Flagrant Fouls00Largest Lead518Percent Led2471

1st Quarter-0:07: Javonte Green makes a 27-foot three-point shot to close out the quarter. 

1st Quarter-0:57: Max Struss makes a 25-foot three-point shot. 

1st Quarter-1:41: Jales Duren makes a 19-foot jump shot. 

1st Quarter-3:03: Isaiah Stewart makes a layup, assisted by Thompson. 

1st Quarter-3:25: Cade Cunningham makes a 26-foot three-point shot. 

1st Quarter-4:51: Evan Mobley makes a 26-foot three-point shot. 

1st Quarter-5:39: Daniss Jenkins makes a running layup. 

1st Quarter-6:41: Tobias Harris makes a 1-foot layup, assisted by Duncan. 

1st Quarter-7:01: Cade Cunningham makes 14-foot fade away jumper. 

1st Quarter-7:20: Donovan Mitchell makes a 8-foot floating jumper. 

1st Quarter-8:23: Duncan Robinson makes a 26-foot three-point shot. 

1st Quarter-9:18: Donovan Mitchell makes a 13-foot driving floater. 

1st Quarter-9:34: Cade Cunningham makes a 26-foot three-point shot.

1st Quarter-10:36: Donovan Mitchell makes a 26-foot three-point shot, assisted by Harden.

1st Quarter-11:32: Evan Mobley makes a 3-foot driving dunk. 

Tip Off shortly...

How to Watch Cleveland Cavaliers (0-0) vs Detroit Pistons (0-0) Game 1 NBA Playoffs

Tuesday, May 5 

Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: NBCSN/Peacock 

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