Pistons Beat Cavs 111-101, End 19-Year Skid

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May 6, 2026

Pistons End 19 Year Cavs Skid Game 1 111 101 Hero

The Detroit Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-101 in Game 1 on May 5, 2026. Cade Cunningham scored 23 points and added seven assists for Detroit at Rocket Arena. The Pistons snapped a 12-game postseason losing streak against Cleveland that dated to 2007.

Detroit Ends 19-Year Cavaliers Drought

Detroit jumped to a 37-21 first-quarter lead at Rocket Arena. The Pistons made 11 of 12 free throws in the opening period. The Pistons also drilled four threes in that quarter.

Tobias Harris scored 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson added 19 points and made 5 of 8 threes for Detroit. Jalen Duren posted 11 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists for Detroit.

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 23 points at Rocket Arena. Mitchell ended his NBA-record streak of nine straight series openers with 30 or more points. James Harden added 22 points for the Cavaliers, including 13 in the fourth quarter.

The Pistons forced 20 Cavaliers turnovers and turned them into 31 points. Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal tips off Thursday at Rocket Arena. The Cavaliers must defend home court before the series shifts to Detroit.