Cavaliers Edge Pistons in Overtime Thriller
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Little Caesars Arena
Cleveland Cavaliers 117, Detroit Pistons 113, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons?
Cleveland Cavaliers beat Detroit Pistons 117-113 at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026.
Who was favored in Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons?
Detroit Pistons were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -170 (about 63% implied). The underdog won.
The Cleveland Cavaliers triumphed over the Detroit Pistons in a closely contested game that ended 117-113 after overtime at Little Caesars Arena. This victory allows the Cavaliers to take a 3-2 lead in their playoff series, which has been tightly contested, with the series now tied at 2-2 before this match. Both teams entered the game with strong recent performances, making this matchup particularly compelling for fans and analysts alike.
The Pistons, boasting a home record of 60-22, had been in excellent form, winning eight of their last ten games. They were on a three-game winning streak leading into this contest, averaging 119.9 points scored while allowing only 108.1 points over that span. Their recent success included notable wins against teams like the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive capabilities. At home, they remained undefeated in their last four games, with an average score of 122.2 points scored and 109.6 points allowed in their last five.
Conversely, the Cavaliers entered the game with a solid away record of 52-30 and had won seven of their last ten games. They were riding a one-game winning streak and averaged 121.8 points scored while allowing 119.0 points during that stretch. Their recent performances included a significant victory over the Washington Wizards, which highlighted their offensive firepower. The Cavaliers had also shown resilience on the road, with a 3-2 away record in their last five games, scoring an average of 122.6 points and conceding 118.2 points.
In terms of previous meetings, the Cavaliers had a slight edge, winning five of the last eight encounters against the Pistons. In their most recent matchup earlier in the season, the Pistons secured a narrow 122-119 victory at home, while the Cavaliers won a close game in March with a score of 113-109. This history added another layer of intrigue to the matchup, as both teams sought to assert dominance in the series.
Injury reports indicated that both teams were relatively healthy, which allowed them to field their strongest lineups. This factor contributed to the high level of play observed during the game. The market had priced the Pistons as 4.5-point favorites according to DraftKings, with a total set at 210.5 points. The odds reflected the competitive nature of the matchup, with both teams capable of explosive scoring.
The game conditions were optimal for basketball, with both teams taking advantage of the arena atmosphere to energize their play. Fans witnessed a thrilling contest that went down to the wire, with the score tied at the end of regulation, necessitating an overtime period.
In overtime, the Cavaliers pulled ahead with key plays from their star players. Daniss Jenkins made a crucial two-point shot, followed by James Harden, who added points from the free-throw line. The Pistons fought back with a jump shot from Cade Cunningham, but the Cavaliers maintained their lead with additional free throws from Evan Mobley and Harden, sealing the victory. The final scoring plays underscored the intensity and competitive spirit of the game, with both teams showcasing their skills in a high-pressure situation.
As the series continues, both teams will look to capitalize on their strengths and address any weaknesses exposed during this matchup. The Cavaliers will aim to build on their momentum, while the Pistons will seek to regroup and return to their winning ways in the next game.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | DET -4.5 | 210.5 o -115 / u -105 | Cleveland Cavaliers +142 · Detroit Pistons -170 |
Leaders
- PointsCade Cunningham39Detroit Pistons
- AssistsCade Cunningham9Detroit Pistons
- ReboundsPaul Reed8Detroit Pistons
- PointsJames Harden30Cleveland Cavaliers
- AssistsEvan Mobley8Cleveland Cavaliers
- ReboundsJarrett Allen10Cleveland Cavaliers
Recent form
Detroit Pistons
Last 10: 8-2Streak W3119.9 scored · 108.1 allowed per game4-0 at home
- W133-121at Indiana PacersApr 12
- W118-100at Charlotte HornetsApr 10
- W137-111vs Milwaukee BucksApr 8
- L107-123at Orlando MagicApr 6
- W116-93at Philadelphia 76ersApr 4
- W113-108vs Minnesota TimberwolvesApr 2
- W127-116vs Toronto RaptorsApr 1
- L110-114at Oklahoma City ThunderMar 31
- W109-87at Minnesota TimberwolvesMar 28
- W129-108vs New Orleans PelicansMar 26
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last 10: 7-3Streak W1121.8 scored · 119 allowed per game3-2 away
- W130-117vs Washington WizardsApr 12
- L102-124at Atlanta HawksApr 10
- W122-116vs Atlanta HawksApr 8
- W142-126at Memphis GrizzliesApr 7
- W117-108vs Indiana PacersApr 5
- W118-111at Golden State WarriorsApr 3
- L113-127at Los Angeles LakersApr 1
- W122-113at Utah JazzMar 31
- W149-128vs Miami HeatMar 27
- L103-120vs Miami HeatMar 25
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | - | 22 | W3 | .732 | 60 |
| Cleveland | 8 | 30 | W1 | .634 | 52 |
| Milwaukee | 28 | 50 | L1 | .390 | 32 |
| Chicago | 29 | 51 | L2 | .378 | 31 |
| Indiana | 41 | 63 | L2 | .232 | 19 |
Box score
| Stat | Cleveland Cavaliers | Detroit Pistons |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 36-80 | 42-95 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 14-35 | 11-33 |
| Three-point % | 40 | 33 |
| Free throws | 31-38 | 18-20 |
| Free throw % | 82 | 90 |
| Rebounds | 44 | 40 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 31 | 25 |
| Assists | 25 | 28 |
| Steals | 6 | 10 |
| Blocks | 9 | 10 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 5 |
| Technical fouls | 2 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 2 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 27 | 16 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 23 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 48 |
| Fouls | 16 | 26 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 15 |
| Lead changes | 11 | 11 |
| Time in front | 24 | 69 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter81-80Jalen Duren makes 3-foot driving dunk
- 3rd Quarter84-80Evan Mobley makes 27-foot three point jumper (Donovan Mitchell assists)
- 4th Quarter84-83Cade Cunningham makes 26-foot three point jumper (Paul Reed assists)
- 4th Quarter84-85Cade Cunningham makes 11-foot fade away jump shot
- 4th Quarter85-85Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter86-85Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter87-85James Harden makes free throw 1 of 3
- 4th Quarter88-85James Harden makes free throw 2 of 3
- 4th Quarter89-85James Harden makes free throw 3 of 3
- 4th Quarter89-87Paul Reed makes 6-foot two point shot (Cade Cunningham assists)
- 4th Quarter89-89Paul Reed makes 4-foot dunk
- 4th Quarter89-92Cade Cunningham makes 25-foot three pointer
- 4th Quarter89-95Daniss Jenkins makes 24-foot three point jumper (Tobias Harris assists)
- 4th Quarter89-96Ausar Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter89-97Ausar Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter91-97James Harden makes 16-foot step back jumpshot
- 4th Quarter91-99Daniss Jenkins makes running layup (Cade Cunningham assists)
- 4th Quarter91-100Daniss Jenkins makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter94-100Max Strus makes 28-foot three point jumper (James Harden assists)
- 4th Quarter94-103Tobias Harris makes 23-foot three point jumper (Cade Cunningham assists)
- 4th Quarter96-103Donovan Mitchell makes 3-foot driving floating jump shot (James Harden assists)
- 4th Quarter98-103Evan Mobley makes 3-foot dunk (Donovan Mitchell assists)
- 4th Quarter101-103Evan Mobley makes 25-foot three point jumper (James Harden assists)
- 4th Quarter102-103Evan Mobley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter103-103Evan Mobley makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT105-103Jarrett Allen makes tip in dunk
- OT107-103Donovan Mitchell makes 8-foot two point shot
- OT107-104Paul Reed makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT107-105Paul Reed makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT110-105Donovan Mitchell makes 26-foot three pointer (Evan Mobley assists)
- OT112-105Donovan Mitchell makes 3-foot layup (Max Strus assists)
- OT112-107Paul Reed makes 5-foot two point shot (Daniss Jenkins assists)
- OT112-109Daniss Jenkins makes two point shot
- OT113-109James Harden makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT113-111Cade Cunningham makes 21-foot pullup jump shot (Tobias Harris assists)
- OT114-111James Harden makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT115-111James Harden makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT116-111Evan Mobley makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT117-111Evan Mobley makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT117-113Paul Reed makes 2-foot driving dunk (Daniss Jenkins assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Detroit Pistons, below favours Cleveland Cavaliers.
Venue
- Little Caesars ArenaDetroit, MI
- Attendance20062
- OfficialsMark Lindsay, Tony Brothers, Gediminas Petraitis, Tyler Ford
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