The Detroit Pistons are still riding the high of an unforgettable first-round comeback. After clawing back from a 3-1 series deficit to dismantle the Orlando Magic in Game 7, they now turn their attention to a familiar foe: the Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s the Eastern Conference semifinals, and for the first time since 2008, the Pistons are hosting a second-round series at Little Caesars Arena.

Tip-off is Tuesday, May 5, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. This isn’t just a playoff clash between two Central Division rivals—it’s a personal one. Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will face the team that fired him after the 2023-24 season, adding an extra layer of intensity to an already fiery matchup.

Here are five keys to victory for Detroit, plus a Game 1 prediction.

1. Contain the new-look Cavs backcourt
The regular-season series ended in a 2-2 split, but the Pistons haven’t faced this version of Cleveland. Star guard Donovan Mitchell missed the final two meetings, and trade-deadline acquisition James Harden only played in the last one. Game 1 will be the first time Detroit sees both electric guards on the floor together. Unlike Orlando’s jumbo forwards, the Cavs attack from the perimeter with two of the league’s best isolation scorers. The Pistons’ defense will need to be sharp from the opening tip.

2. Protect the paint—and the glass
Cleveland isn’t just dangerous on the outside. They boast the league’s fifth-best rim defense and the second-highest offensive rebounding percentage. With Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley patrolling the paint, the Cavs can punish teams inside. Detroit must match their physicality on the boards and find ways to score around the basket without getting swallowed up.

3. Stay hot from deep
The Cavs are a high-volume, high-efficiency 3-point shooting team. To keep pace, the Pistons will need to answer from beyond the arc. Spacing will be critical against Cleveland’s length, and Detroit’s shooters must be ready to fire with confidence.

4. Manage the Mitchell-Harden pick-and-roll
With two elite guards who can create their own shot, the Cavs’ pick-and-roll game becomes a nightmare to defend. Detroit’s bigs will need to show on screens without leaving Allen or Mobley unchecked at the rim. Communication and discipline will be everything.

5. Feed off the home crowd
Little Caesars Arena has been electric all postseason, and Game 1 is a chance to set the tone. The Pistons have momentum, history, and a city behind them. If they can protect home court early, they put all the pressure on Cleveland.

Prediction for Game 1: The Pistons carry their Game 7 energy into Tuesday night, but the Cavs’ new-look offense proves too explosive in the first half. Detroit adjusts in the second, and a late Cade Cunningham takeover seals a narrow win. Pistons 108, Cavaliers 104.