Cleveland, OH
2026 NBA Playoffs: Cavaliers vs. Pistons series prediction, pick for the second round
Sean Barnard breaks down the upcoming second-round NBA Playoffs series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons will face off in the second round of the Eastern Conference, with the remaining playoff teams trimmed down to eight. Both sides are coming off a grueling seven-game series and will have little time for rest. The Cavaliers squeaked by the Raptors while the Pistons were pushed to the brink by the eighth-seeded Magic.
The Pistons are -125 favorites to win the series on DraftKings Sportsbook, while the Cavaliers are +105 underdogs. These are the shortest odds of any of the second-round matchups.
However, there are plenty of different ways to get involved in the action that hold more appeal than just betting the series straight up. This article will take a look at a preview for each team and a pair of series bets that have caught my eye.
Cavaliers vs. Pistons preview, prediction
Cleveland Cavaliers
It was a turbulent series for the Cleveland Cavaliers. After failing to get over the postseason hump with the same core, Cleveland pulled the plug by trading Darius Garland in exchange for James Harden, hoping this would change. It took seven games for them to officially bury the youthful Toronto Raptors, but Cleveland proved to have enough to get the job done. The Cavaliers finished the regular season with a 52-30 record and earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland has gone 36-53 against the spread, and the game total is 45-44 to the over/under.
Even following Harden’s addition, Donovan Mitchell still headlines the production for Cleveland. The seven-time All-Star averaged 27.9 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds across the regular season. Neither star quite lived up to expectations in the opening round, but they still advanced to the second round. Harden added 20.5 points and 7.7 assists across his 26 games in Cleveland, while Evan Mobley posted averages of 18.2 points and nine rebounds per game. Jarrett Allen, Max Strus, Jaylon Tyson, and Dean Wade also play notable roles.
As a team, the Cavaliers averaged 119.5 points per game during the regular season, ranking fourth in the NBA. Cleveland also ranks sixth in offensive rating, eighth in field goal percentage, and 13th in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents have scored 115.4 points per game against the Cavaliers, which ranks 15th. They also rank 15th in defensive rating, eighth in opponent field goal percentage, and 26th in opponent three-point percentage.
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons led the Eastern Conference from start to finish this season, ultimately finishing the season with a 60-22 overall record. The organization had a massive turnaround last season, improving its record from 14-68 in 2023-24 to 44-38. They got their first taste of postseason basketball, losing to the Knicks in a hard-fought series, and further took a step forward this season. While it was not the cleanest path to advancing to the second round, Detroit’s postseason aspirations are still within reach. On the season, the Pistons are 47-42 against the spread and 41-48 to the over/under.
Cade Cunningham sets the tone for this entire roster and leads the team in production. The former number one overall pick posted averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds across the regular season. Jalen Duren made an All-Star leap alongside him, posting averages of 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game on the season, but he has greatly struggled in this postseason. Daniss Jenkins has been a breakout impact player this season, while Tobias Harris provides veteran leadership to the young roster. Ausar Thompson, Kevin Huerter, Duncan Robinson, and Ron Holland also play notable roles.
Detroit is scoring 117.8 points per game this season, which ranks eighth in the NBA. The Pistons also rank 10th in offensive rating, third in field-goal percentage and 17th in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 109.6 points per game against the Pistons, which ranks third in the league. J.B. Bickerstaff’s squad also ranks second in defensive rating, third in opponent field-goal percentage, and first in opponent three-point percentage.
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Best Bets
Detroit Pistons to Win the Series (-125)
It was a concerning opening series for the Detroit Pistons, but this is a much cleaner matchup for them. Detroit has built an identity by playing hard-nosed defense and being the tougher and more athletic team on just about every floor they walk on. The Magic had the size to match this, and the Pistons’ offensive struggles showed face for stretches.
Don’t expect this to be the case against the Cavaliers. This is the same Cavaliers’ core that head coach Kenny Atkinson publicly questioned for its toughness following a playoff exit. While James Harden is a change on the roster, he doesn’t exactly have the track record to support this change in mental toughness. Evan Mobley is a high-level defender, but the Cavaliers have underwhelmed defensively all season. They faced a Raptors team with some similar offensive issues as the Pistons, and Toronto still managed to push them to seven games. This includes the Raptors winning a game in which they shot just 32% from the field and 13% from three-point range.
In addition, it felt as if the Pistons took a few games to wake up to the playoff atmosphere. The organization largely had the top seed locked up for a few weeks and was able to take its foot off the gas down the stretch. In contrast, the Magic had been fighting for their playoff lives for a couple of weeks and played with a desperation that showed in the results. The Pistons got better as the series went on and looked like the team they showed all season by the series conclusion. Expect this to carry over into the second round and for Detroit to find a way to win with the -125 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook being extremely manageable.
Detroit Pistons to Go Undefeated at Home (+270)
The Pistons finished the regular season with a 31-9 record at home this season. They also won three straight games at home during the round one series after dropping the series opener. While the Cavaliers posted a 25-16 road record during the regular season, they dropped all three games in Toronto in the opening round, including a 22-point blowout. Detroit has a committed fan base that is sure to bring the energy and believes in this current team. This will be a hostile atmosphere for Cleveland, and the Pistons have a strong outlook for protecting home court.
It is fair not to have full belief in this Pistons team after a concerning opening round. But they flipped the switch midway through and looked like the team they have all season. Cleveland has not shown the ability to win on the road in the postseason, and this path only looks slimmer in this matchup. Expect the Pistons to defend their home court whenever they have the chance, and the +270 odds are a friendly payout for matchups they will likely be comfortable favorites in.
Cavaliers vs. Pistons FAQ
When is Game 1 of Cavaliers vs. Pistons?
Game 1 of the Cavaliers vs. Pistons series will take place on Tuesday, May 5th at 7 p.m. ET.
Where is Game 1 of Cavaliers vs. Pistons?
Game 1 will be held at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, as the Pistons hold the home-court advantage in the series.
How many games is the Cavaliers vs. Pistons series?
This is a best-of-seven series between the Cavaliers and Pistons. The first team to win four games will move on to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Cleveland, OH
How Koby Altman Can Earn A+ Grade for the Cavaliers This Offseason
Cleveland Cavaliers’ president of basketball operations Koby Altman has made it clear that there won’t be a rebuild for next season’s team, but changes will be made.
After tasting their first conference finals in eight years, the Cavs will be eager to do one better ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, and Altman has the pieces available to him to achieve just that.
It isn’t a rebuild; it’s a retool.
To really get the best out of this Cavs side in the offseason and for the team to compete for the NBA crown, Altman will need to focus on these key factors.
Solidify Donovan Mitchell’s future
It’s undoubtedly the Cavs’ top priority this offseason. Securing a long-term contract with its star player, Donovan Mitchell and preventing him from entering free agency is key to Cleveland’s success.
What’s uplifting is that Mitchell and the Cavaliers are in a strong position, and he has shown no signs of wanting to leave the team.
It is expected that Mitchell, who still has a year left on his contract, will wait to sign a new deal, which could make some Cavs fans sweat, given what happened to LeBron James in his early years, but Mitchell is aiming for the best possible deal for him, which is a maximum contract.
If Altman can lock him up quicker, though, then there will be no need for those Cleveland fans to sweat.
Lift the second apron curse
Another huge priority on Altman’s table. The Cavaliers finished last season with one of the loftiest rosters in recent NBA memory, which significantly hampers them.
Being in the second apron of the luxury tax, the Cavs are very limited in their ability to aggregate salaries for trades and with the team virtually unable to do damage in the draft for the next few seasons, they will need to save some money.
One key would be to convince James Harden to decline his player option and sign a cheaper deal that suits Cleveland. Trading guard Dennis Schroder for future picks would also benefit Altman.
Keep Evan Mobley on board
A key piece of Cleveland’s future, the 24-year-old Evan Mobley is still a little rough around the edges, but a talent the Cavs need on their roster.
Keeping him happy will be key as his contract runs through to the 2029-30 season. Improving his offensive ability and having coach Kenny Atkinson get his team to work on his jump shot will make him a strong force within the roster.
There were large patches of the season where Mobley and Mitchell complemented each other flawlessly, and there are signs that he is ready to take the baton for the Cavs if Mitchell is out injured or if he decides to take his talents elsewhere.
If that does happen, then Mobley will be in line to lead Cleveland.
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Cleveland, OH
Storms trigger tornado warnings, knocks out power to thousands in Northeast Ohio
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Severe storms in Northeast Ohio Wednesday night into Thursday morning triggered several tornado warnings and knocked out power to thousands.
Check FirstEnergy’s, AEP’s, and CPP’s websites for the latest outage numbers.
Tornado warnings were issued for Ashland, Richland, and Huron Counties.
There was no reported damage related to the warnings as of 1:10 am.
These storms will remain in the area until 2 am, mainly producing very gusty winds.
However, due to very strong winds, tornado warnings can’t be ruled out- especially over southern locations within the 19 viewing area.
Submit photos and video below.
Check back with the 19 News First Alert Weather team for the latest weather forecast.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Brown Leads Letter to FBI Demanding Answers on Raid Targeting Voter Registration in NE Ohio
Cleveland, OH – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) has led a letter to the FBI demanding answers regarding the Bureau’s raid targeting the Ohio Organizing Collective, an organization supporting voting rights and voter registration efforts in Ohio. Brown has strongly criticized the FBI raids as an effort to deny and suppress the vote in Northeast Ohio.
Congresswoman Brown announced the letter at a press conference in Cleveland this afternoon. Brown is urging Ohioans to continue to exercise their right to vote and to not be intimidated.
Brown’s letter to FBI Director Kash Patel and the Special Agent in Charge of the Cleveland Office was signed by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-01), and Rep. Emilia Sykes (OH-13).
The letter references other efforts by the Trump Administration to weaponize federal law enforcement and perpetuate false narratives around the 2020 election. Brown and the signees seek the legal justification used by the FBI to conduct this raid, full information on what warrants were obtained, and details about the scope of this massive operation, including how many agents were pulled off other assignments to be part of this raid.
“The people I represent deserve answers, because their right to vote is sacred and what happened in Cleveland last week is deeply alarming. When federal agents undertake a statewide operation against an organization whose mission is helping eligible Americans register to vote, the public has every right to ask questions. Any action that risks intimidating lawful voter registration efforts or discouraging participation in our democracy should concern every American, regardless of party. My message to Ohioans is simple: it is safe to participate, register, vote and help your neighbors do the same. We will remain vigilant in defending the sacred right to vote and protecting the democratic freedoms that generations fought to secure,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.
The text of the letter is as follows:
Dear Director Patel and Special Agent in Charge DelManzo,
We write to express deep concern regarding the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s recent raid of the Cleveland office of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative (OCC) and the reported questioning of OCC staff, volunteers, and community partners throughout Ohio. According to reports FBI agents not only raided the OCC’s Cleveland office but also followed individuals connected to the organization in their cars, followed their children to school, and went to their homes demanding to enter them under the guise of investigating voter fraud.
For almost two decades, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative has encouraged civic engagement participated voter registration, community organizing and advocacy. While no organization is above the law, the expansive scope of the federal activity focused on such a prominent voting rights organization, coupled with the absence of any public explanation regarding the basis of these actions raises serious questions about whether federal law enforcement is being deployed in a manner that could have a chilling effect on lawful civic engagement.
We are concerned that in an election year, DOJ and FBI seem to have abandoned their own Election Year Sensitivities policy which forbids selecting the timing of public statements, overt steps, or charges to affect any election. Any deviation from these standards—especially overt investigative activity targeting a voter-registration organization—risks weaponizing the federal government against lawful civic activity.
These concerns are heightened by this Administration’s efforts to push unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud, specifically in the 2020 Presidential election. Over the past year the FBI has raided the elections office in Fulton County, Georgia collecting 2020 ballots,3 the Department of Justice (DOJ) has demanded full, unredacted voter rolls from at least 44 states and the District of Columbia,4 and despite no findings of widespread voter fraud this Administration continues to take unprecedented actions to, restrict access to the ballot, weaken voting-rights protections, and to cast doubt on our election administration. Against this backdrop, further aggressive federal investigative actions like the raid in Cleveland and the indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center creates serious concerns that federal law enforcement is being used to intimidate civic organizations and deter lawful participation in our democratic process.
The First Amendment protects the rights of individuals and organizations to engage in political advocacy, and association. Any investigation of these protected activities must be conducted with the utmost care and in accordance with all relevant law and Department of Justice policies designed to prevent political bias or retaliation.
To better understand the basis and scope of the FBI’s recent actions against the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, we request answers to the following questions:
- What specific authority or legal basis was used to authorize the search of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative’s Cleveland office? Please produce the warrant and affidavit.
- What specific authority or legal basis was used to authorize to the questioning, following, and appearance at the private residences of individuals associated with Ohio Organizing Collaborative?
- Please provide all information that led to the initiation of this investigation including any referrals, approvals, or authorizations received by the Department of Justice or any other relevant office.
- Did any state or local law enforcement request, recommend, or participate in the raid of Ohio Organizing Collaborative’s Cleveland office and the following and questioning of staff and volunteers? If so, please provide all documentation and communication on the collaboration across agencies and governments.
- Did any federal entities (including but not limited to DHS and ODNI) participate or share information leading to the raid of Ohio Organizing Collaborative’s Cleveland office and the following and questioning of staff and volunteers? If so, please provide all documentation and communication on the collaboration across agencies and governments.
- What are the policies and protocols that govern investigations that involve organizations that legally participate in voter registration?
- How many FBI personnel participated in the search and related investigative activities?
- Were any agents reassigned from other investigations or offices to participate in this operation? If so, from which offices and for what duration?
- Did the FBI/DOJ consult the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, and were the Election-Year Sensitivities policies followed regarding timing of overt steps? Please produce consultation records and approvals.
We request a response no later than June 22, 2026
Sincerely,
[[SIGNATURES]]
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