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NBA·RECAP·May 8, 2026 06:02 AM ET

Pistons take 2-0 series lead over Cavaliers, shift East semis to Cleveland

Detroit one win from sweeping Cleveland on the road.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated May 81 min read
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via espn

What happened: The Detroit Pistons handled business at home in Game 2, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cade Cunningham posted 25 points and 10 assists while Tobias Harris contributed a strong performance, per social reaction to the game. The series now shifts to Cleveland with Detroit needing two wins to advance.

Why it matters: This is a stunning turn for a Pistons franchise that had snapped a 12-game playoff losing streak to Cleveland just days earlier in Game 1 of this series. A 2-0 road deficit historically translates to a series win for the leading team in the overwhelming majority of NBA playoff matchups, putting the top-seeded Cavaliers on the brink of an upset. Detroit is now one win from its first conference finals appearance in nearly two decades.

What to watch: Game 3 shifts to Cleveland, where the Cavaliers must defend home court to avoid a 3-0 hole. Watch for Cleveland's response on defense and whether Cunningham can sustain his series-long production on the road.

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NBARecapDetroit PistonsCleveland CavaliersCade CunninghamTobias Harris
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