The Detroit Pistons are riding an emotional wave after pulling off one of the most stunning comebacks in recent NBA playoff history. Down 3-1 to the Orlando Magic in the first round, they stormed back to win three straight, capped by a dominant Game 7 blowout. Now, they're headed to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2008—and they're doing it as the top seed.

Standing in their way are the Cleveland Cavaliers, a familiar Central Division rival, and a team with plenty of motivation. The series tips off Tuesday, May 5 at Little Caesars Arena, and it's more than just a playoff matchup. It's a reunion with Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who was fired by Cleveland after the 2023-24 season and now leads a Pistons squad that's hungry to prove itself.

Here are five keys to a Pistons victory in the second round, plus a prediction for how it all plays out.

1. Containing the Cavs' Backcourt
The Magic tested Detroit with size and physicality, but the Cavaliers present a completely different challenge. Cleveland features two elite guards in Donovan Mitchell and James Harden—a duo the Pistons haven't faced together this season. Mitchell missed the final two games of the regular-season series, and Harden, acquired at the trade deadline, only appeared in the fourth meeting. Game 1 will be the first look at both stars sharing the floor against Detroit, and they're two of the league's best isolation scorers.

2. Winning the Battle in the Paint
While the Cavs' backcourt gets the headlines, their frontcourt is equally dangerous. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley anchor a defense that ranked fifth in rim protection and second in offensive rebounding during the regular season. The Pistons will need to match that physicality, especially on the glass, and find ways to score inside against one of the league's best interior defenses.

3. Defending the Three-Point Line
Cleveland isn't just a threat inside—they shoot and make threes at a high clip. The Pistons' vaunted defense, which stifled Orlando's offense in the final three games of the first round, will need to extend its pressure beyond the arc. Closing out on shooters and preventing open looks will be critical to slowing down the Cavs' balanced attack.

4. Getting the All-Star Big Man Going Early
It took a few games for Detroit's All-Star big man to find his rhythm against the Magic, but when he did, the series shifted. Against a Cavs frontline that loves to pack the paint, the Pistons need their interior star to be aggressive from the opening tip. Early touches and easy baskets could open up the rest of the offense and force Cleveland to adjust its defensive scheme.

5. Embracing the Underdog Role
Despite being the top seed, the Pistons are facing a team with more playoff experience and a pair of proven superstars. But Detroit just proved it can overcome adversity, rallying from a 3-1 deficit with its season on the line. That resilience, combined with the energy of a home crowd at Little Caesars Arena, could give the Pistons the edge they need in a tightly contested series.

Prediction: The regular-season series was split 2-2, but the Cavs are a different team with both Mitchell and Harden healthy. Still, the Pistons have home-court advantage, momentum, and a defense that's clicking at the right time. Expect a hard-fought, six-game series, with Detroit's depth and tenacity pushing them through to the Eastern Conference Finals. Pistons in 6.