Game 7 of the Cavaliers vs. Pistons series tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 17. Detroit enters as 4.5-point favorites on the PrizePicks Team Picks spread for the matchup on Prime Video.
It’s been a closely contested set thus far, with both sides having impressive runs over the last week-plus. In a winner-takes-all Game 7 to cap off the weekend, how could things shake out at Little Caesars Arena?
Below, we'll break down our Cavaliers vs. Pistons prediction and picks for Sunday night’s NBA Playoff Game 7, including the spread, over/under, and key player picks for PrizePicks.
Make your Cavaliers vs. Pistons prediction on PrizePicks for tonight’s Game 7.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons Prediction, Spread, Over/Under for Game 7 – Sunday, May 17
The NBA Playoffs can be cyclical at times, and that’s been precisely the case in this series between Cleveland and Detroit.
It was all Pistons in Games 1 and 2, seeing them emerge with back-to-back victories by 10 points apiece. The Cavaliers came back with a vengeance in Games 3-5, though, earning wins thanks to quality performances from their star duo of PG James Harden and SG Donovan Mitchell.
In a close-out opportunity on Friday, Cleveland couldn’t get the job done at home. Detroit took over Rocket Arena, shooting 44% from 3-point land and dominating with 48 points in the paint to Cleveland’s 26.
A 21-point triumph ensued, setting up everyone’s favorite two words: Game 7.
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Spread, Over/Under for Game 7 – Sunday, May 17
The Pistons enter Sunday’s game as 4.5-point favorites against the Cavaliers at home, returning a 1.47x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
Here are the full payouts for the Cavaliers vs. Pistons game on PrizePicks.
- Spread: Detroit Pistons -4.5 (1.85x payout)
- Over/Under: 205.5 (1.92x payout on Over)
- Game Winner Payout: Cavaliers 2.5x | Pistons 1.47x
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Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Timeline
Here is the full Cavaliers vs. Pistons timeline, including the playoff series game-by-game and recent matchup history.
All-Time: Pistons, 144-128
Regular Season: Tied, 2-2
Series: Tied, 3-3
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Timeline, Schedule for 2026 NBA Playoffs
- Game 1: Pistons, 111-101
- Game 2: Pistons, 107-97
- Game 3: Cavaliers, 116-109
- Game 4: Cavaliers, 112-103
- Game 5: Cavaliers, 117-113
- Game 6: Pistons, 115-94
- Game 7: Sunday, May 17, 8:00 p.m. in Detroit
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Prediction on Spread for Game 7 – 5/17/26
Here are the key stats and trends behind our Cavaliers vs. Pistons prediction on spread for Sunday, May 17.
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- The Pistons are an even 21-21 against the spread as home favorites this year. When playing the road underdog role, the Cavaliers are 9-7 ATS.
- Although it sits second in 2-point percentage at 57.6%, Cleveland’s offense is nothing to write home about from distance, ranking 16th with a 3-point clip of 35.7%.
- On the defensive end, Cleveland struggles with that same 3-point shot, slotting in at fourth-worst with a 37.3% conversion rate allowed.
- The Pistons’ gritty offense continues to show out, sitting second in average points in the paint (56.2) and seventh in made shots each time out (42.7).
- Detroit clamps down on opponents defensively, ceding the fewest made field goals per game (37.3) and ranking top-five in both fastbreak PPG (13.0, fourth) and paint PPG (42.9, third).
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Picks, Player Stats for PrizePicks: 5/17/26
Here are three top Cavaliers vs. Pistons picks to target for Sunday, May 17 on PrizePicks. Today’s NBA picks for PrizePicks include SG Donovan Mitchell, PG James Harden, and PG Cade Cunningham.
Cavaliers SG Donovan Mitchell vs. Pistons: 25.5 Points
- Mitchell poured in 27.9 PPG during the regular season. That number is 28.5 in this series, which includes him making 45.0% of his shots from the field.
- Spida’s usage rate of 32.2% from the regular season is holding pretty steady at 31.4% in the NBA Playoffs.
- As long as Mitchell isn’t guarded by SF Ausar Thompson, he’s faring well. The veteran guard is posting an effective field goal percentage of 44% or higher against five of his top six assignments but a 21% mark against Thompson, via databallr.
- Mitchell puts up 32.7 true shot attempts per 100 possessions this postseason, ranking in the 100th percentile.
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Cavaliers PG James Harden vs. Pistons: 25.5 Pts + Asts
- In 26 regular-season outings as a Cavalier, Harden produced an average of 28.2 combined points and assists. That mark is 27.1 in the NBA Playoffs.
- Harden boasts a downright elite .51 free throw rate in 13 playoff games, also holding a +3.3% relative true shooting percentage.
- Cleveland is relying on The Beard a bit more in the postseason, as his usage rate is up from 24.0% to 26.4%.
- In the playoffs, Harden’s 16.6 potential assists per 100 put him in the 100th percentile.
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Pistons PG Cade Cunningham vs. Cavaliers: 41.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- After netting 39.3 PRA in 64 regular-season contests, Cunningham is up to 42.2 in 13 playoff games.
- The Pistons’ franchise player leads all postseason scorers, averaging 29.3 PPG. His 3-point shot has been his best friend, as evidenced by his 43.2% efficiency.
- The former top NBA Draft pick pulls down 2.9% of his own misses and 9.6% of available defensive boards this postseason, ranking in the 95th and 82nd percentiles, respectively.
- Per NBA RAPM, Cunningham spends 43% of his time on-ball and produces 32.9 assist points per 100.
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NBA Playoffs Live Picks: Cavaliers vs. Pistons on PrizePicks for Game 7
Here are some angles to target for your Cavaliers vs. Pistons live picks.
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- Keep an eye on the second frame. The Cavaliers’ offense struggles in it, ranking 28th by averaging 27.7 PPG. On the flip side, the Pistons’ second-quarter defense is sixth at 27.5 PPG.
- The final quarter could be even more lopsided. Per NBA Advanced Stats, Detroit’s 103.7 defensive rating in the fourth quarter is second among 16 teams that qualified for the postseason. Cleveland’s 127.3 mark is dead last.
- Despite a rough Game 6, Mitchell is still a pretty formidable postseason player. He averages 27.8 PPG for his career in the playoffs, including a 25.6 figure in a career-high 13 games this year.
- If PF Dean Wade is on Cunningham defensively, look out. The veteran forward is holding the star PG to just a 45% effective field goal percentage in 135 possessions. The next defender, SF Max Strus (114.5 possessions), is allowing a 68% eFG%.
- C Jalen Duren being in front of his home crowd could be a good thing for the Pistons. He produces 2.4 more PPG in the confines of Little Caesars Arena, as well as 1.7 more RPG.
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Cleveland constructed some momentum in Games 3-5, but Detroit came storming back with a statement victory in Game 6. Which side will come out on top in Game 7 and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals?
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