Game 3 of the Detroit Pistons vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers tips off at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 9, televised by NBC and Peacock. The Cavaliers enter today’s game as 4.5-point favorites on the spread, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
Cleveland remains winless on the road during the playoffs, losing the first two games of this series by an average margin of -10.0 points per game. However, it’s a perfect 4-0 in home games, while Detroit is 1-2 on the road during the postseason.
Below, we'll break down our Pistons vs. Cavaliers prediction and picks for Saturday’s NBA playoff game, including the spread, over/under, and key player picks for PrizePicks.
Make your Pistons vs. Cavaliers picks on PrizePicks now for Game 3.
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Pistons vs. Cavaliers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under for Game 3 – Saturday, May 9
A pair of shooting guards could be out today, as the NBA injury report has Pistons SG Kevin Huerter (adductor) doubtful and Cavaliers SG Sam Merrill (hamstring) questionable for Saturday.
Huerter has made a minor impact for the Pistons with 10.5 minutes and 1.5 points per game over four playoff appearances. Merrill, on the other hand, has shot a team-best 37.9% on 3-pointers. With G James Harden and G Donovan Mitchell battling inefficiency woes, Merrill has been a breath of fresh air on the perimeter.
Furthermore, Cleveland has stumbled with a 30.0% 3-point percentage over the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals. That’s contributed to a measly 99.0 PPG over the previous two matchups, catering to Detroit’s style of ball.
Will Game 3 provide another slow-paced, low-scoring affair?
Pistons vs. Cavaliers Spread, Over/Under for Game 3 – Saturday, May 9
The Cavaliers enter Saturday’s game as 4.5-point favorites at home against the Pistons, returning a 1.53x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
Here are the full payouts for the Pistons vs. Cavaliers game on PrizePicks.
- Spread: Cleveland Cavaliers -4.5 (1.81x)
- Over/Under: 211.5 (1.78x payout on Over)
- Game Winner Payout: Thunder 2.38x | Cavaliers 1.53x
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Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Timeline
Here is the full Pistons vs. Cavaliers timeline, including the playoff series game-by-game and recent matchup history.
All-Time: Pistons, 143-125
Regular Season: Tied 2-2
Series: Pistons, 2-0
Pistons vs. Cavaliers Conference Semifinals Timeline, Schedule for 2026 NBA Playoffs
- Game 1: Pistons 111, Cavaliers 101
- Game 2: Pistons 107, Cavaliers 97
- Game 3: Saturday, May 9, 3:00 p.m. ET in Cleveland
- Game 4: Monday, May 11, 8:00 p.m. ET in Cleveland
- Games 5-7 if necessary
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Pistons vs. Cavaliers Prediction on Over/Under for Game 3 – 5/9/26
Here are the key game stats and trends behind our Pistons vs. Cavaliers prediction for the over/under on Saturday, May 9.
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- Over six head-to-head matchups this season, the under is 5-1.
- Among 16 playoff teams, the Cavaliers are ninth in pace, while the Pistons sit 12th.
- Furthermore, Detroit attempts only 81.4 field goals per game in the playoffs (second-fewest), and Cleveland launches 83.6 shots per contest (seventh-fewest).
- The 3-ball could continue to make little impact, as the Pistons post only 29.1 attempts per contest in the postseason (second-fewest).
- Plus, the Cavs have shot 33.2% on triples in the playoffs (11th) compared to 36.0% in the regular season (13th).
- Detroit carries the second-best defensive rating (103.0) of the postseason, behind the Spurs’ 101.4 mark, per NBA Advanced Stats.
Pistons vs. Cavaliers Player Picks, Stats for PrizePicks – 5/9/26
Here are the top Pistons vs. Cavaliers picks to target on PrizePicks for Saturday, May 9. Today’s NBA picks for PrizePicks include Tobias Harris and James Harden.
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Pistons F Tobias Harris vs. Cavaliers Projection: 18 Points
- In his last seven games, Tobias Harris has reached at least 20 points in every game with 22.7 PPG in the split.
- This has featured efficient shooting, proven by his 48.7% field goal percentage.
- Plus, Harris has cashed in 8 of his last 15 3-point attempts (53.3%) in the last three matchups.
- According to Dunks & Threes, the Cavaliers finished the regular season giving up a 42.8% 3-point shot distribution (22nd).
- Harris has enjoyed increased volume with 16.8 field goal attempts per game in the playoffs compared to 10.5 in the regular season.
- After posting 20.5 PPG with a 50.0% field goal percentage in the first two games of this series, Harris could stay hot on Saturday afternoon.
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Cavaliers G James Harden vs. Pistons Projection: 5.5 Field Goals Made
- Following two games in this series, Harden has recorded 4.5 made field goals per game compared to 5.5 turnovers per contest.
- His brutal shooting woes continue with a 33.3% field goal percentage over his last four games.
- Harden’s converted only 3 of his last 20 3-point attempts (15.0%).
- Across the entire playoffs, the veteran guard has shot 42.3% and 32.2% on 3-pointers compared to 46.6% and 43.5% from deep over 26 games as a Cavalier in the regular season.
- As mentioned, the Pistons have the second-best defensive rating in the playoffs. Detroit G Ausar Thompson (103.5) and G Duncan Robinson (102.3) each carry strong defensive ratings in the playoffs.
Add James Harden to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
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NBA Playoffs Live Picks: Pistons vs. Cavaliers on PrizePicks for Game 3
Here are some in-game angles to target for your Pistons vs. Cavaliers live picks in tonight’s game.
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- The Pistons have won the first quarter by 16 and 7 points over the first two games.
- During the playoffs, Detroit has posted 27.9 points per first quarter (fourth) compared to Cleveland’s 26.2 (10th).
- The final 12 minutes could be a tighter race, with the Cavs posting 26.2 points per fourth quarter (tied for fifth), while the Pistons have logged 25.9 points in the split (eighth).
- Detroit has won both fourth quarters by 3 and 6 points through two games.
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Will the Cavaliers maintain their 4-0 record at home in the playoffs? Cleveland is a must-win scenario, trailing Detroit 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
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