Cade Cunningham delivers 23 points, as the Detroit Pistons take Game 1 home victory over Cleveland Cavaliers [VIDEO]

Jalen Duren blocked James Harden and threw down back-to-back dunks in the fourth quarter to seal Detroit’s first Game 1 win over Cleveland since 2008.

The top-seeded Detroit Pistons defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-101 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 5, 2026, at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit took a 1-0 series lead behind a defense that forced a playoff-high 20 turnovers and converted them into 31 points. The Pistons snapped a 12-game postseason losing streak against Cleveland dating back to the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 23 points on 6-of-19 shooting, adding 7 assists and 2 steals. Tobias Harris scored 20 points with 8 rebounds. Duncan Robinson added 19 points on 5-of-8 from three-point range. Jalen Duren posted 17 points and 12 rebounds, including 7 offensive boards, with a game-high plus-minus of +17. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 23 points, ending his streak of 30-point games in series openers at nine.

Pistons Jump to 18-Point Lead Behind Aggressive Defense

The Pistons opened the game with a 37-21 first quarter, their highest-scoring opening period of the playoffs. Detroit’s defense forced Cleveland into rushed possessions and early turnovers. The Cavaliers committed 20 turnovers overall, a playoff high, and the Pistons capitalized with transition points.

Cleveland chipped away in the second and third quarters. The Cavaliers outscored Detroit 25-22 in the second and 30-24 in the third. A Ron Holland III three-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer gave the Pistons an 83-76 lead heading into the fourth. The Cavaliers tied the game at 93-93 midway through the final period.

The comeback was fueled by James Harden, who finished with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Harden also committed 7 turnovers and critiqued himself after the game. “A lot of them are just on me,” he said. “I got to be better. I will be better.”

Duren’s Fourth-Quarter Block and Dunks Seal the Win

With the game tied at 93-93, Jalen Duren blocked a Harden shot at the rim. The block sparked a sequence that decided the game. Cunningham found Duren for a dunk on the ensuing possession. The Pistons never trailed again.

Duren added two more dunks in the final minutes, both off assists from Cunningham. He finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds, dominating Cleveland’s frontcourt. Jarrett Allen was limited to 2 points and 3 rebounds in 18 minutes before fouling out. Evan Mobley had 14 points and 9 rebounds but could not contain Duren on the glass.

The Pistons outrebounded Cleveland 45-41, including a 16-11 edge on the offensive glass. Detroit also shot 27-of-35 from the free-throw line (77.1 percent), compared to Cleveland’s 15-of-16 (93.8 percent). The volume of free throws reflected Detroit’s aggressive attack and Cleveland’s foul trouble.

Cunningham and Harris Lead Balanced Pistons Attack

Cade Cunningham played 42 minutes and led the Pistons in scoring despite shooting 6-of-19 from the field. He made 9-of-11 free throws and dished out 7 assists. His ability to draw fouls and find open shooters kept the offense flowing when his shot was off.

Tobias Harris added 20 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 6-of-14 from the field and 7-of-8 from the line. Duncan Robinson provided spacing with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-8 from three-point range. Ausar Thompson contributed 11 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal.

Daniss Jenkins came off the bench for 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. Ronald Holland III hit a buzzer-beating three to end the third quarter. The Pistons placed five players in double figures and received significant contributions from their bench.

Cavaliers’ Turnovers Prove Costly in Close Loss

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting, including 4-of-10 from three-point range. He expressed frustration after the game about the lack of foul calls. Mitchell attempted only 2 free throws. “We had some turnovers, missed blockouts, fouls,” he said. “It’s just stuff we can control. We weren’t sharp.”

James Harden played 35 minutes and recorded 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. He also committed 7 turnovers, which he took responsibility for after the game. Max Strus added 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three. Evan Mobley posted 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Jarrett Allen struggled, playing only 18 minutes before fouling out. He finished with 2 points and 3 rebounds. Sam Merrill left the game with a left hamstring injury and is scheduled for an MRI. Cleveland shot 45 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three but could not overcome the turnover margin.

Game 2 Set for Thursday as Cavaliers Seek Adjustments

Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena. The game will air on Prime Video. The Cavaliers must win to avoid a 2-0 deficit before the series shifts to Cleveland.

Cleveland’s adjustments will likely focus on ball security and getting more production from Jarrett Allen. Allen played only 18 minutes in Game 1 due to foul trouble. The Cavaliers also need to limit Detroit’s offensive rebounds; the Pistons grabbed 16 offensive boards. Thus, leading to second-chance points.

The Pistons have won four straight playoff games dating back to their Game 5 victory over Orlando. They have not lost at home since Game 1 of that first round series against the Magic. Detroit’s defense has forced 18 or more turnovers in three of their last four playoff games. The Cavaliers will need to solve that pressure to even the series.

Conclusion

The Pistons forced 20 turnovers. They scored 31 points off them, grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, and won by 10. Jalen Duren blocked James Harden, then dunked three times in the fourth quarter. Cade Cunningham led with 23 points and 7 assists.

Donovan Mitchell scored 23 but attempted only 2 free throws. James Harden committed 7 turnovers and blamed himself. Jarrett Allen fouled out in 18 minutes. Game 2 is Thursday.

Cleveland needs to hold onto the ball. Detroit needs to keep taking it away.

The series is 1-0.

The pressure is already mounting.

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