Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 4: live score updates, highlights, 2026 NBA playoffs 2nd round series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cavaliers bounced back in Game 3 making this a series. Had Detroit won Game 3, it would have been an insurmountable hill to climb. Especially considering how the Pistons have been playing in these playoffs.
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As recently as May 8, fans seemed to be headed towards a Knicks vs Pistons Eastern Conference final. The Knicks swept the 76ers, but Cleveland could force a long series with a win tonight. A Cavs win would knot the series as two games apiece. Then it becomes a best of three series with Detroit still holding a home court advantage.
The key for Detroit comes down to only a few aspects and they will be in a good position for the remaining games. Do not allow Cleveland to shoot a respectable number from beyond the 3-point arc and continue to out rebound them. Detroit has a significant series edge in rebounding and Cleveland has not been able to change that. In the two games Cleveland lost, they shot over 30 three-point shot while shooting under 30%.
Cleveland needed a great game from Donovan Mitchell and timely plays down the stretch from James Harden just to win the game. While they won that game by 7, Detroit was within 2 with under a minute to play. Cleveland needs a full, good effort from their big four. Detroit just has to keep playing Detroit Basketball.
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Pistons vs. Cavaliers live updates, highlights from NBA playoffs Game 4
Final Game Box Score
Detroit Pistons
|
On Court |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
+/- |
FPTS |
|
T. Harris |
14 |
8 |
3 |
6/11 |
2/4 |
0/0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
+4 |
30 |
|
C. Cunningham |
12 |
1 |
5 |
4/8 |
1/2 |
3/3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
+1 |
22 |
|
J. Duren |
6 |
2 |
0 |
3/7 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-4 |
8 |
|
A. Thompson |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1/1 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
-17 |
1 |
|
D. Robinson |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0/1 |
0/1 |
1/2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
-1 |
2 |
|
On Bench |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
+/- |
FPTS |
|
C. LeVert |
17 |
2 |
2 |
7/12 |
3/5 |
0/0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
+14 |
24 |
|
I. Stewart |
4 |
3 |
0 |
2/3 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
+6 |
6 |
|
R. Holland |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0/1 |
0/1 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
+3 |
1 |
|
J. Green |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-3 |
0 |
|
D. Jenkins |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
+7 |
2 |
Cleveland Cavaliers
|
On Court |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
+/- |
FPTS |
|
J. Harden |
15 |
0 |
7 |
3/8 |
3/6 |
6/6 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
+1 |
30 |
|
E. Mobley |
11 |
1 |
2 |
4/7 |
1/3 |
2/2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+3 |
20 |
|
D. Mitchell |
6 |
3 |
2 |
2/9 |
1/5 |
1/2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
+5 |
12 |
|
J. Allen |
5 |
3 |
0 |
1/2 |
0/0 |
3/4 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
|
D. Wade |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
+2 |
1 |
|
On Bench |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
+/- |
FPTS |
|
S. Merrill |
6 |
1 |
2 |
2/4 |
2/4 |
0/0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
-1 |
12 |
|
D. Schroder |
5 |
1 |
0 |
2/3 |
1/2 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
-9 |
5 |
|
M. Strus |
5 |
2 |
0 |
2/5 |
1/4 |
0/0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-4 |
7 |
|
J. Tyson |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0/1 |
0/1 |
1/2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-7 |
4 |
Final Game Team Stats
|
DET |
CLE |
|
|---|---|---|
|
FG |
42-83 |
34-78 |
|
Field Goal % |
51 |
44 |
|
3PT |
10-23 |
14-41 |
|
Three Point % |
43 |
34 |
|
FT |
9-12 |
30-34 |
|
Free Throw % |
75 |
88 |
|
Rebounds |
35 |
33 |
|
Offensive Rebounds |
11 |
12 |
|
Defensive Rebounds |
24 |
21 |
|
Assists |
23 |
23 |
|
Steals |
10 |
11 |
|
Blocks |
3 |
8 |
|
Total Turnovers |
20 |
15 |
|
Points Conceded Off Turnovers |
25 |
20 |
|
Fast Break Points |
12 |
6 |
|
Points in Paint |
50 |
34 |
|
Fouls |
27 |
15 |
|
Technical Fouls |
0 |
0 |
|
Flagrant Fouls |
0 |
0 |
|
Largest Lead |
7 |
21 |
|
Percent Led |
31 |
62 |
The Cleveland Cavaliers have defeated the Detroit Pistons 112-103 in Game 4, tying the series 2-2.
4th Quarter-0:42: Evan Mobley makes a follow two handed dunk after a Donovan Mitchell miss.
4th Quarter-0:49: Marcus Sasser makes a running layup.
4th Quarter-0:59: Paul Reed makes a 1-foot running dunk.
4th Quarter-2:07: Marcus Sasser makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
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4th Quarter-2:55: Caris Levert makes a tip shot.
4th Quarter-4:43: Donovan Mitchell makes a 6-foot floater.
4th Quarter-5:04: Ausar Thompson makes a reverse layup.
4th Quarter-5:19: Donovan Mitchell makes a 25-foot three-point shot. He now has 34 points on the game and a personal career high for points scored in a playoff game.
4th Quarter-6:56: Cade Cunningham makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
4th Quarter-7:39: Jalen Duren makes a driving dunk.
4th Quarter-8:20: Cade Cunningham makes a 17-foot floater.
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4th Quarter-8:38: Donovan Mitchell hits two free throws, putting over the 30 point mark for the 36th time in the playoffs. Moving him into a three-way tie for 17th most in NBA history along side Allen Iverson and Kawhi Leonard.
4th Quarter-8:47: Cade Cunningham makes a driving layup.
4th Quarter-9:58: Donovan Mitchell makes a 5-foot driving floater.
4th Quarter-10:41: Donovan Mitchell makes a running layup.
4th Quarter-11:08: Evan Mobley makes a layup.
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Team Stats after 3 Quarters
|
DET |
CLE |
|
|---|---|---|
|
FG |
32-61 |
28-57 |
|
Field Goal % |
52 |
49 |
|
3PT |
8-16 |
13-33 |
|
Three Point % |
50 |
39 |
|
FT |
5-8 |
21-24 |
|
Free Throw % |
63 |
88 |
|
Rebounds |
24 |
21 |
|
Offensive Rebounds |
7 |
6 |
|
Defensive Rebounds |
17 |
15 |
|
Assists |
17 |
20 |
|
Steals |
6 |
10 |
|
Blocks |
1 |
7 |
|
Total Turnovers |
16 |
10 |
|
Points Conceded Off Turnovers |
22 |
14 |
|
Fast Break Points |
5 |
4 |
|
Points in Paint |
36 |
24 |
|
Fouls |
20 |
10 |
|
Technical Fouls |
0 |
0 |
|
Flagrant Fouls |
0 |
0 |
|
Largest Lead |
7 |
18 |
|
Percent Led |
42 |
50 |
The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the Detroit Pistons 90-77 after three quarters.
3rd Quarter-0:01: Paul Reed makes a tip shot.
3rd Quarter-0:09: Duncan Robinson fouls James Harden on his shooting elbow behind the three-point line. Harden made all three free throws. James Harden has a double double before the end of the 3rd. 24 points and 11 assists.
3rd Quarter-0:32: Paul Reed makes a layup.
3rd Quarter-1:31: James Harden makes a 24-foot three-point shot.
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3rd Quarter-1:42: Duncan Robinson makes a 24-foot three-point shot.
3rd Quarter-2:40: Paul Reed makes a 1-foot reverse layup.
3rd Quarter-3:43: Paul Reed makes a 5-foot shot.
3rd Quarter-4:13: Caris Levert makes a driving layup.
3rd Quarter-4:45: Donovan Mitchell makes a 7-foot floater.
3rd Quarter-5:33: Paul Reed makes a 27-foot three-point shot.
3rd Quarter-5:57: DET get on the board and halts the scoreless run. Paul Reed makes a 1-foot driving dunk.
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3rd Quarter-6:14: Donovan Mitchell makes a 14-foot turnaround jumper. This is the largest run
3rd Quarter-6:53: Jarrett Allen makes a driving dunk. Cleveland is on their largest ‘run’ in team playoff history. 21-0 to start the second half.
3rd Quarter-7:28: Jarrett Allen blocks Daniss Jenkins’ 5-foot shot.
3rd Quarter-7:55: Donovan Mitchell makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
3rd Quarter: 8:16: Evan Mobley steals Cade Cunningham’s pass. James Harden makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
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3rd Quarter-8:43: Donovan Mitchell makes a 25-foot three-point shot. CLE is on a 13-0 run.
3rd Quarter-9:53: Jarrett Allen makes a layup.
3rd Quarter-10:28: Donovan Mitchell makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
3rd Quarter-10:52: Donovan Mitchell makes an 8-foot driving floater. Fouled on the play. Made the extra free throw.
1st Half Box Score
Detroit Pistons
|
On Court |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
+/- |
FPTS |
|
C. LeVert |
17 |
2 |
2 |
7/12 |
3/5 |
0/0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
+14 |
24 |
|
T. Harris |
14 |
8 |
3 |
6/9 |
2/3 |
0/0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
+6 |
30 |
|
C. Cunningham |
12 |
1 |
5 |
4/8 |
1/2 |
3/3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
+3 |
22 |
|
J. Duren |
6 |
2 |
0 |
3/7 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-2 |
8 |
|
D. Robinson |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0/1 |
0/1 |
1/2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
+1 |
2 |
|
On Bench |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
+/- |
FPTS |
|
I. Stewart |
4 |
3 |
0 |
2/3 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
+6 |
6 |
|
A. Thompson |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1/1 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
-15 |
0 |
|
R. Holland |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0/1 |
0/1 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
+3 |
1 |
|
J. Green |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-3 |
0 |
|
D. Jenkins |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
+7 |
2 |
Cleveland Cavaliers
|
On Court |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
FG |
3PT |
MIN |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
+/- |
FPTS |
|
J. Harden |
15 |
0 |
6 |
3/8 |
3/6 |
18 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
-1 |
28 |
|
E. Mobley |
11 |
1 |
2 |
4/7 |
1/3 |
20 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+1 |
20 |
|
M. Strus |
5 |
2 |
0 |
2/5 |
1/4 |
14 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-4 |
7 |
|
J. Allen |
5 |
3 |
0 |
1/2 |
0/0 |
15 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
-2 |
8 |
|
D. Mitchell |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1/8 |
1/5 |
19 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
+3 |
10 |
|
On Bench |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
+/- |
FPTS |
|
S. Merrill |
6 |
1 |
2 |
2/4 |
2/4 |
0/0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
-1 |
12 |
|
D. Schroder |
5 |
1 |
0 |
2/3 |
1/2 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
-9 |
5 |
|
J. Tyson |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0/1 |
0/1 |
1/2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-7 |
4 |
|
D. Wade |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0/0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1st Half Team Stats
|
DET |
CLE |
|
|---|---|---|
|
FG |
23-42 |
15-38 |
|
Field Goal % |
55 |
39 |
|
3PT |
6-12 |
9-25 |
|
Three Point % |
50 |
36 |
|
FT |
4-5 |
13-16 |
|
Free Throw % |
80 |
81 |
|
Rebounds |
21 |
14 |
|
Offensive Rebounds |
6 |
4 |
|
Defensive Rebounds |
15 |
10 |
|
Assists |
12 |
12 |
|
Steals |
4 |
7 |
|
Blocks |
1 |
4 |
|
Total Turnovers |
10 |
7 |
|
Points Conceded Off Turnovers |
13 |
9 |
|
Fast Break Points |
5 |
4 |
|
Points in Paint |
22 |
12 |
|
Fouls |
13 |
5 |
|
Technical Fouls |
0 |
0 |
|
Flagrant Fouls |
0 |
0 |
|
Largest Lead |
7 |
11 |
|
Percent Led |
58 |
29 |
The Detroit Pistons lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 56-52 at halftime.
2nd Quarter-0:09: Evan Mobley makes a dunk.
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2nd Quarter-0:31: Tobias Harris makes a driving layup.
2nd Quarter-1:27: DET secured two offensive rebounds on this possession resulting in a Caris Levert three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-2:19: Tobias Harris makes a 5-foot floater.
2nd Quarter-2:48: Donovan Mitchell makes a 23-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-3:36: Tobias Harris makes a 24-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-4:47: Evan Mobley makes a driving layup.
2nd Quarter-5:05: Isaiah Stewart makes a two-point shot.
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2nd Quarter-5:45: Caris Levert makes a 2-foot running jumper.
2nd Quarter-6:24: Dennis Schroder makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-6:44: Cade Cunningham makes a running layup. Fouled on the play. He made the extra free throw.
2nd Quarter-7:27: Jalen Duren makes an alley oop dunk.
2nd Quarter-8:04: Sam Merrill makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-8:35: Ausar Thompson makes a layup.
2nd Quarter-8:49: Sam Merrill makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
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2nd Quarter-9:11: Max Struss makes a 1-foot dunk.
2nd Quarter-9:57: Caris Levert makes a 16-foot fade away jumper.
2nd Quarter-10:15: Max Struss makes a 26-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-10:46: Evan Mobley makes a 24-foot three-point shot.
2nd Quarter-11:03: Jalen Duren makes a driving layup.
2nd Quarter-11:43: Caris Levert makes a 6-foot floater.
The Detroit Pistons lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 24-21 after the first quarter
1st Quarter-1:03: Cade Cunningham makes a 16-foot shot.
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1st Quarter-1:36: Caris Levert makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-1:46: Dennis Schroder makes a running layup.
1st Quarter-2:31: Dennis Schroder draws a charge on Daniss Jenkins.
1st Quarter-4:05: Isaiah Stewart makes layup. DET takes their first lead since 3-2.
1st Quarter-5:19: Caris Levert makes a 26-foot three-point shot. Cleveland calls a timeout. Detroit has narrowed the 9-point lead to only a 3-point lead.
1st Quarter-5:40: Jalen Duren makes a layup.
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1st Quarter-5:56: Evan Mobley makes a 9-foot shot.
1st Quarter-6:30: Due to early fouls, Cleveland will be in the bonus for the remainder of this half.
1st Quarter-6:49: Caris Levert makes a 15-foot pull up jumper.
1st Quarter-7:46: James Harden makes a 26-foot three-point shot. Detroit has committed five early turnovers.
1st Quarter-9:16: James Harden makes a 24-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-10:16: James Harden makes a 25-foot three-point shot.
1st Quarter-10:33: Cade Cunningham makes a 24-foot three-point shot.
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1st Quarter-10:58: Jarrett Allen makes a driving layup.
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