RealGM Basketball Wiretap

18 May 2026

• Donovan Mitchell Says Cavs 'Can Breathe A Little Bit' Following Game 7 Win Over Pistons

  The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 to win the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday night.

  Donovan Mitchell finished the game with 26 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. Mitchell was responsible for 43 points on the night, with his teammates shooting 8-for-8 off his passes.

  "Even last year, when we lost to Indiana, we had our goals set on getting to the Finals. We're just one step closer," Mitchell said. "But, yeah it's been almost a decade of running into the same issue. So for sure, I personally, and as a team, we can breathe a little bit."

  Sam Merrill finished with 23 points off the bench, including five 3-pointers. Evan Mobley added 21 points and 10 rebounds, with Jarrett Allen getting 23 points and 7 rebounds.

  "I've been saying all year we have a lot to prove," Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said after the win. "We still have more to prove. That's the next part of it, but we proved something to ourselves, that we could take that another step."

  The Cavs have lost in the second round of the playoffs the last two years and have not made a conference final since 2018.

  Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks starts on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

• Spurs Backcourt Trio Of Castle, Fox, Harper Powers 139-109 Game 6 Elimination Of Wolves

  The San Antonio Spurs advanced to the Western Conference finals with a 139-109 dismantling of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 on Friday. Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper combined to match franchise cornerstone Victor Wembanyama's impact, collectively accounting for nearly half of San Antonio's output in one of the highest-scoring playoff performances in team history.

  Castle led all scorers with 32 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Fox contributed 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, and Harper added 15 points on 6-of-8. San Antonio's final tally ranked third in franchise playoff history.

  The Spurs open the Western Conference finals Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. The Thunder are favored by 6.5 points to open the series and are -260 favorites (73 percent implied probability) to advance to the Finals.

  "What we're walking into on Monday is a different animal," said Harper. "The experience is great for all of us. But we've just got to have the mindset of we're going to keep the foot on the gas no matter what."

  The backcourt trio shot a combined 23-of-30 from the field and 9-of-12 from three-point range through three quarters, producing 58.2% of San Antonio's scoring in that span. The group contributed nine of the Spurs' postseason-record 18 three-pointers on the night.

  Wembanyama finished with 19 points, six rebounds and three blocks. He joined former Spur David Robinson as the only players with at least 200 points, 100 rebounds and 40 blocks through their first 10 career postseason games since blocks were first recorded in 1974.

  Wembanyama was direct in his praise of Castle, whose five three-pointers set a career high across both the regular season and playoffs.

  "The way this team is built, they were trying to take me away from the rim and just grab me," said Wembanyama. "There's no other way to fight that than just fight it with physicality. [Castle] was amazing. Just the composure to make the late choice and to push the defense in as far as they can go to take care of our strengths, he was great. He shot the ball when he should have, made the shots, and passed when he should've passed it."

  Castle became the fifth Spur in franchise history to record at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a clinching game, joining Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, Robinson and George Gervin. Fox became the first Spur since Kawhi Leonard in 2017 to score 20 or more points on 80% shooting in a postseason game.

  San Antonio reaches the conference finals for the first time since 2017 and the 15th time overall.

  "Having guys who are this talented and have watched me throughout my career, then we get to be in the same locker room, get to be on the court together, it's something that I love," said Fox. "I want them to feel that success from as early as you can get it in your career because you never know when those things can come back around.

  "[I] just give them little tidbits that they can get here or there because they're just so talented. Just giving them a cheat sheet to kind of maneuver throughout the league. I try to add what I can to what they can already do. They can already do a lot of things."

• J.B. Bickerstaff Says Pistons 'Just Don't Quit' After Forcing Game 7 Versus Cavs

  The Detroit Pistons defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-94 in Game 6 on Friday night to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

  The Pistons have now won four straight elimination games in the playoffs.

  "They just don't quit," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "The resolve that they have. The belief that they have in one another. They just have the ability to bounce back mentally where they don't hang on to things."

  Cade Cunningham finished with 21 points, with Jalen Duren adding 15 points and 11 rebounds.

  "I just think you got to look at the backgrounds of this group," said Daniss Jenkins, who added 15 points. "I'm not supposed to be in this position according to everybody in the league. I just think we're special. We just want to defy all the odds. We not taking [anything] from [anybody]. We know it's us against the world."

  James Harden finished with 23 points for the Cavs, with Donovan Mitchell adding 18 points.

  "We never really kicked it to that second level," Harden said. "And we needed to get to that third and fourth level. It was never just a consistent flow at either end of the ball, which is frustrating, but can't do nothing about it. We got to start focusing our mind for one game on the road."

  The Cavs and Pistons both won their Game 7s in the first round. Game 7 of this round takes place on Sunday in Detroit with the Pistons favored by 6.5 points.

• Duncan Robinson Upgraded To Questionable For Game 6

  The Detroit Pistons upgraded Duncan Robinson to questionable for Friday's Game 6 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

  Kevin Huerter and Caris LeVert are also questionable with a left adductor strain and a right heel contusion respectively.

  Robinson, who missed Game 5, is averaging 11.5 points and 2.5 assists in the playoffs.

• NBA Last Two Minute Report Backs No-Call On Jarrett Allen At End Of Game 5

  The NBA ruled Thursday that officials made the correct decision by not whistling Jarrett Allen for a foul in the closing seconds of regulation in Game 5 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons. The no-call drew immediate criticism from Detroit's bench and players after Cleveland's 117-113 overtime win Wednesday night.

  The disputed play occurred with the score tied 103-103. Allen made contact with Pistons guard Ausar Thompson as both players pursued a loose ball. Had a foul been called, Thompson would have gone to the free throw line in a tied game. Instead, Cleveland secured the ball and went on to win in overtime, taking a 3-2 series lead.

  The league addressed the sequence in its Last Two Minute Report.

  "Allen and Thompson legally step to the same spot while pursuing the loose ball before either player has possession, and both lose their balance from the marginal contact," the report stated.

  Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff disputed the ruling after the loss. "Allen fouled Ausar -- clearly. He tripped him when he was going for a loose ball," Bickerstaff said.

  Crew chief Tony Brothers explained the decision on the floor. "During live play, both players were going for the ball, and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball," Brothers said via pool report.

• Jalen Duren Takes Accountability For Play Amid Late Benching In Game 5

  Jalen Duren has struggled during the Detroit Pistons' playoff run and the situation came to a head in the fourth quarter of Game 5 when he was benched by J.B. Bickerstaff in favor of Paul Reed Jr.

  Duren has a PER of 13.4 during the playoffs compared to 25.8 during the regular season in what will likely be an All-NBA award ahead of his restricted free agency.

  Duren took accountability for his play when speaking to the media postgame.

  "I feel I can be better in all aspects of the game," said Duren. "Continue to grind and continue to grow."

  Duren was supportive of Reed and ultimately just wants the Pistons to win.

  "As long as we get the win, I'm good," said Duren. "Obviously it didn't come out the way we want it today."

• How To Watch Pistons Vs Cavaliers East Semifinals Game 6: Live Stream, TV Channel, Predictions

  How to watch Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 6

  Friday's Game 6 will be broadcast on ESPN and is available to stream live on Prime Video.

  Category	Details
  Date	Friday, May 15, 2026
  Tip-Off Time	7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT
  Live Stream	Prime Video
  Venue	Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH

  The Cleveland Cavaliers stand just one victory away from the Eastern Conference Finals as they host the Detroit Pistons for a high-stakes Game 6 this Friday. Following a grueling 117-113 overtime victory in Detroit on Wednesday, the Cavaliers hold a 3-2 series lead. For the top-seeded Pistons, it is officially "win or go home." Can Cade Cunningham force a deciding Game 7, or will Cleveland's veteran backcourt close the door at Rocket Arena? Catch all the action live on Prime Video.

  Game 5 was a masterclass in resilience for Cleveland. James Harden delivered his best performance of the postseason with 30 points and 8 rebounds, while Donovan Mitchell added 21 points despite a cold shooting start. The Cavs overcame a 15-point first-half deficit and a late Pistons rally to secure their first road win of the series. Detroit was led by Cade Cunningham, who nearly willed his team to victory with a massive 39-point, 9-rebound, 7-assist outing. To stay alive tonight, the Pistons must find more scoring from their wings, as Tobias Harris was held to just 13 points in the Game 5 loss. Witness the pressure live on Prime Video.

  The tactical battle will hinge on Cleveland's ability to protect the perimeter against a desperate Detroit squad. Max Strus (20 points, 6 threes in Game 5) and Evan Mobley (19 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) have provided the necessary spacing and playmaking to keep the Pistons' defense off-balance. Expect a playoff-grind atmosphere at Rocket Arena as the local fans look to propel the Cavaliers to their first conference finals appearance in years. Catch every highlight streaming live on Prime Video.

  Cleveland's late-game execution and Detroit's response to elimination will be the deciding factors tonight. You can witness this Eastern Conference semifinal showdown live on Prime Video.

  Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 6 Odds & Prediction

  The Cavaliers enter Game 6 as solid home favorites to close out the series. Oddsmakers believe the momentum from their overtime win in Detroit and the raucous home-court advantage in Cleveland make a 4-2 series finish the most likely outcome.

  Betting Line	Cavaliers -5.5
  Over/Under	215.5
  Moneyline	CLE -230 | DET +190

  Prediction: While Cade Cunningham is playing at an elite level, the Cavaliers' depth and the experience of Harden and Mitchell have proven too much in late-game situations. Look for Cleveland to withstand an early punch from the Pistons and pull away in the second half to clinch the series. Final Score: Cavaliers 110, Pistons 101.

  Key Game 5 Performers

  The star power in this series has been undeniable, with James Harden and Cade Cunningham leading the way in an epic Game 5 duel.

  Cavaliers Standouts (Game 5)	Points	Assists	Rebounds	FG%
  James Harden (G)	30	6	8	38.1%
  Max Strus (F)	20	1	8	75.0%

  The Pistons rely on the historic output of Cade Cunningham to keep their championship dreams alive.

  Pistons Standouts (Game 5)	Points	Rebounds	Assists	FG%
  Cade Cunningham (G)	39	7	9	48.1%
  Daniss Jenkins (G)	19	2	3	47.1%

  Stream the NBA Playoffs on Prime Video

  Prime Video is the ultimate destination for basketball fans this postseason. Don't miss a single highlight as the Cavaliers look to advance against the top-seeded Pistons with a flexible streaming experience.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  What was the score of Game 5?
  The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime on Wednesday, May 13.

  When is Game 6 tip-off?
  Game 6 is scheduled for Friday, May 15, at 7:00 PM ET at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.

  Where can I stream Game 6?
  You can stream the game live on Prime Video with an active subscription.

  This article contains affiliate links. When you purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Restrictions may apply.

• Kenny Atkinson Credits 'Mental Toughness' For Cavs' Overtime Win In Game 5

  The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

  The Cavs were down 103-94 in the fourth quarter before scoring nine straight points to force overtime.

  It was also the first Cavs' road win of the playoffs.

  "That stretch right there says a lot about our progress," Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. "[Our] mental toughness progress... these guys, they never get down."

  The Pistons had a 96.8% chance to win the game when they were up nine, according to ESPN analytics.

  James Harden lead the Cavs with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, with Donovan Mitchell adding 21 points. Max Strus scored 20 points off the bench.

  Cade Cunningham scored 39 points for the Pistons. Replacing Duncan Robinson in the starting lineup, Daniss Jenkins added 19 points.

  Donovan Mitchell said that the Cavs needed to keep their composure ahead of Friday's Game 6.

  "The biggest thing is just not get too high, get too low," said Mitchell. "At the end of the day, it's 3-2. The series is not over by any means. It was great to get one on the road. Yay, whoop-de-do. But we got to protect home court."

  The Cavaliers are 3.5 point favorites in Game 6 back in Cleveland on Friday.

• How To Watch Pistons Vs Cavaliers East Semifinals Game 5: Live Stream, TV Channel, Predictions

  How to watch Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 5

  Today's Game 5 will be broadcast on ESPN and is available to stream on Fubo.

  Category	Details
  Date	Wednesday, May 13, 2026
  Tip-Off Time	8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
  Live Stream	Fubo
  Venue	Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI

  The Eastern Conference Semifinals return to the Motor City tonight, Wednesday, May 13, as the Detroit Pistons host the Cleveland Cavaliers for a high-stakes Game 5. After the Cavaliers tied the series at 2-2 with a dominant 112-103 win on Monday, this matchup effectively becomes a best-of-three. The top-seeded Pistons are looking to reclaim their momentum at home, while the surging Cavs aim to steal one on the road. Catch every high-stakes moment live on Fubo.

  Game 4 belonged to Donovan Mitchell, who delivered one of the greatest playoff performances in franchise history by scoring 43 points, including a record-tying 39 points in the second half. James Harden provided the perfect complement with 24 points and 11 assists, while Evan Mobley anchored the defense with 5 blocks. The Pistons were led by former Cavalier Caris LeVert, who poured in 24 points, but Cade Cunningham was held to just 19. To take control of the series tonight, Detroit must improve their ball security and find a way to slow down Mitchell's scoring runs. Witness the tactical battle live on Fubo.

  The spotlight is also on the injury report, as the Pistons have listed LeVert (heel), Duncan Robinson (back), and Kevin Huerter (adductor) as questionable. Cleveland enters healthy and riding a two-game winning streak. Detroit will need a massive performance from Cunningham and Tobias Harris to defend their home floor against a Cavaliers team that has seemingly found its rhythm. Expect a playoff-grind atmosphere as these rivals clash for a series lead.

  Cleveland's perimeter shooting and Detroit's health and rebounding will be the deciding factors in tonight's pivotal Game 5. You can witness this Eastern Conference semifinal showdown streaming live on Fubo.

  Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 5 Odds & Prediction

  Despite the Cavs winning the last two, the Pistons enter Game 5 as narrow home favorites. Oddsmakers believe the shift back to Little Caesars Arena gives Detroit the slight edge needed to move within one win of the Conference Finals.

  Betting Line	Pistons -2.5
  Over/Under	214.5
  Moneyline	DET -135 | CLE +115

  Prediction: Expect a highly emotional game. While Donovan Mitchell is on a historic tear, the Pistons' desperation and home crowd should fuel a bounce-back night for Cade Cunningham. If Detroit's questionable players can suit up, they have the depth to edge out a victory in a tight fourth quarter. Final Score: Pistons 107, Cavaliers 103.

  Series Key Performers (Averages)

  The duel between Donovan Mitchell and Cade Cunningham has defined this series, with both stars acting as the primary engines for their respective teams.

  Cavaliers Player Stats (Series)	Points	Assists	Rebounds	FG%
  Donovan Mitchell (G)	31.8	4.2	5.0	49.2%
  James Harden (G)	20.5	8.8	4.5	42.5%

  The Pistons rely on Cade Cunningham for playmaking, while Tobias Harris has been a steady veteran presence throughout the postseason.

  Pistons Player Stats (Series)	Points	Rebounds	Assists	FG%
  Cade Cunningham (G)	22.5	4.8	7.2	44.6%
  Tobias Harris (F)	18.2	6.5	2.5	48.0%

  Stream the NBA Playoffs on Fubo

  Fubo is the ultimate destination for basketball fans this postseason. Don't miss a single highlight as the Cavaliers and Pistons battle for Eastern Conference supremacy with a flexible streaming experience.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  What is the current series score?
  The series is currently tied at 2-2 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons.

  When is Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 5?
  Game 5 is scheduled for tonight, Wednesday, May 13, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, with tip-off at 8:00 PM ET.

  Is Donovan Mitchell still with the Cavs?
  Yes, Donovan Mitchell is the star guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers and is currently having a historic 2026 postseason.

  This article contains affiliate links. When you purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Restrictions may apply.

• Donovan Mitchell Scores 39 Points In Second Half Of Cavs' Game 4 Win

  The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 112-103 in Game 4 to even the series at 2-2.

  Donovan Mitchell, who tied an NBA record by scoring 39 points in the second half, finished with 43 points in the game.

  "Not really trying to force it," Mitchell said. "I understand that I'm going to get looks and it's going to fall at some point. Even if they didn't, just being aggressive, more aggressive. But I'm not tripping. We were down four at half. For me it was just like, OK, now I have an opportunity to try to get downhill and then start going in."

  With the Cavs trailing 56-52 at halftime, they went on a 24-0 run lead by 15 points from Mitchell.

  James Harden, who finished with 24 points and 11 assists, credited the Cavs' defense for the second half run.

  "Our starters hadn't been great to start the games and start the halves," said Harden. "Tonight was a really good opportunity for us and we did that. Start the game and start the halves, particularly on a defensive end. That's what led to easy opportunities, whether it's 3s or layups, rewarding our bigs."

  Cade Cunningham was limited to 19 points, with Tobias Harris adding 16 points.

  Game 5 is on Wednesday night in Detroit with the Pistons favored by 3.5 points.