DETROIT — The first moves in an NBA playoff chess match between Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson and his Cleveland predecessor, J.B. Bickerstaff, will be executed when the Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons meet in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday, May 5, at Little Caesars Arena.
The fourth-seeded Cavs and top-seeded Pistons advanced to the second round with Game 7 wins over the fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors and eighth-seeded Orlando Magic, respectively. Now the Cavs will face Bickerstaff, who led them for four-plus seasons until the franchise fired him in 2024 and replaced him with Atkinson.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven series between the Cavs and Pistons is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. in Detroit. Check back here for updates throughout the showdown.
Below is some pregame information.
Where to watch Cavs game tonight: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Game 1 TV, streaming and radio info
Game 1 between the Cavs and Pistons will be televised nationally by Peacock and NBC Sports Network. The local radio broadcast can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
Cavs vs Pistons Game 1 starting lineup
Cleveland’s official starters will be listed here when they are announced. Until then, here is a projected starting lineup:
Pistons vs Cavs Game 1 starting lineup
Detroit’s official starters will be listed here when they are announced. Until then, here is a projected starting lineup:
Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 1 injury report
The Cavs did not list any players on their injury report for Game 1.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 1 injury report
The Pistons listed wing Kevin Huerter (left abductor strain) as questionable for Game 1.
Cavs playoff schedule. When does Cavaliers-Pistons series start?
Here is all of the scheduling information the NBA has announced thus far about the Cavs-Pistons series in the Eastern Conference semifinals:
Eastern Conference playoff bracket 2026
Here are the second-round matchups:
Here are the first-round results:
Cleveland Cavaliers playoff history during their Donovan Mitchell era
This is the fourth consecutive season the Cavs have made the playoffs.
Here are the results from their previous three playoff appearances, all of which have occurred since the Cavs traded for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in 2022:
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers score, injury report vs Pistons. Live Game 1 updates, stats
Reporting by Nate Ulrich and Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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