Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons Prediction, 5/17/2026 Preview and Pick

Game: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons

Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026

Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI

TV: Prime Video

Odds/Point Spread: Cleveland (+4.5)

The Detroit Pistons (60-22) are welcoming the Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30) at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Detroit opens this matchup as 4.5-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under is set at 206.5.

The Cavaliers took a loss by a score of 115-94 in Game 6. When it comes to fouls, the Cavaliers walked away with 18 and the Pistons totaled 22 fouls. They also made 16 of their 36 attempts from long range. Detroit finished the game shooting 68.4% at the free throw line by burying 13 of 19 shots. Additionally, Detroit had 43 rebounds (13 offensive, 30 defensive) and earned 3 blocks. Detroit distributed 25 dimes and had 9 steals for the contest. In regard to the defense, Cleveland allowed their opponent to shoot 52.4% from the field on 43 of 82 shooting. They also recorded 15 dimes in this matchup as well as creating 18 turnovers and earning 9 steals. In regard to getting rebounds, they earned 40 with 16 of them being of the offensive variety. From the free throw line, the Cavaliers made 22 of 30 shots for a rate of 73.3%. Cleveland walked away from the contest with a 39.0% field goal percentage (30 of 77) and converted 12 out of their 35 shots from distance.

James Harden is one player who was a major contributor in the game. Harden ended up shooting 46.2% from the field and recorded 4 assists. He saw the court for 37 mins and also collected 7 boards. He ended up finishing with 23 points on 6 out of 13 shooting.

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Cleveland comes into this game with a record of 52-30 for the campaign. They average 119.5 points per outing (4th in basketball) while shooting 48.2% from the floor. The Cavaliers are hitting 36.0% on three-point shots (1,173 of 3,261) and 77.6% from the free throw line. As a team, Cleveland is grabbing 44.4 boards per contest and has accumulated 2,321 assists for the campaign, which has them ranked 8th in the league in terms of passing. They are turning it over 14.0 times per contest and as a basketball team are committing 19.6 personal fouls per contest.

On the defensive end, the Cavaliers are forcing 15.0 turnovers per game while drawing 20.5 fouls. They give up 37.2% on three-point shots while they are 15th in basketball in PPG allowed (115.4). The Cavaliers defensively are allowing and opponent field goal percentage of 46.4% (3,387 of 7,303) and they concede 43.2 rebounds per game as a squad. They are 16th in basketball in allowing assists with 2,208 relinquished this season.

Detroit dominated on both ends of the court in Game 6. In the matter of cleaning up the glass, Detroit permitted Cleveland to snag 40 in total (16 offensive). They shot 34.3% from distance by going 12 out of 35 and walked away from this one shooting 22 of 30 from the free throw line (73.3%). The Pistons permitted the Cavaliers to make 30 of 77 tries from the field which gave them a percentage of 39.0% in this game. When the game finished, the Pistons shot 43 out of 82 from the field which had them at 52.4%. When discussing shots from distance, Detroit made 16 of 36 tries (44.4%). They were able to bury 13 of them for a rate of 68.4%. The Cavaliers were called for 18 fouls in this game which got the Pistons to the free throw line for a total of 19 attempts. They also gave up possession of the ball 18 times, while getting 9 steals for the game. The Pistons snagged 30 defensive boards and 13 offensive rebounds totaling 43 for this contest.

Cade Cunningham ended up being important for the Pistons in the game. Cunningham scored 21 points in his 42 mins of playing time and had 8 assists for the contest. He made 7 out of 19 for this contest for a rate of 36.8%, and accumulated 2 rebounds.

Detroit has a record of 60-22 for the season. When it comes to executing on offense, the Pistons are hitting on 48.5% from the floor, which has them ranked 3rd in the league. Detroit has totaled 9,657 points so far this year (117.8 per contest) and they grab 45.6 rebounds per game. They are earning an assist 27.8 times per game (11th in basketball) and they turn it over 15.1 times per game. The Pistons commit 22.0 fouls every game and they shoot 76.3% from the charity stripe.

The Detroit defense gives up 34.5% on shots from beyond the perimeter (1,040 of 3,015) and opponents are making 78.8% of their free throw attempts. They relinquish 23.5 assists and 40.5 rebounds per contest, which is ranked 1st and 3rd in the NBA. The Pistons defensively are ranked 3rd in the league in PPG allowed with 109.6. They are forcing their opponents into 16.9 turnovers on a nightly basis and have allowed teams to shoot 44.3% from the field (3rd in basketball).

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Cleveland (+4.5)

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