The 2026 NBA Playoffs are heating up, and the second-round matchup between the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers promises to be a must-watch battle for basketball fans everywhere. After surviving a thrilling Game 7 doubleheader on Sunday, both teams have punched their tickets to this highly anticipated series.
The Pistons are riding a wave of momentum after clawing back from a daunting 3-1 series deficit against the Orlando Magic. Led by superstar Cade Cunningham, Detroit showed incredible resilience, winning three straight elimination games. During that clutch stretch, Cunningham averaged an eye-popping 36.3 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. If he can keep his turnovers in check, the Pistons could be on a path to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2008—a milestone that would electrify the Motor City.
On the other side, the Cavaliers took a different road to get here. Cleveland jumped out to a 2-0 series lead at home against the Toronto Raptors, only to see Toronto tie things up on their own floor. Notably, the home team won every game in that series, which could be a concern for a Cavs squad that doesn't have home-court advantage in this round. Cleveland's key to victory will likely revolve around containing Cunningham—something the Magic nearly accomplished before a historic shooting slump in Game 6 turned the tide.
During the regular season, these two Central Division rivals split their four meetings right down the middle, each winning twice. But here's a stat that should catch your attention: the Pistons were a dominant 35-10 at home this season, shooting 48.6% from the field in their own building. That kind of home-court edge could be a game-changer in a tightly contested series.
The winner of this Pistons-Cavs showdown will advance to face either the New York Knicks or Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals. With so much at stake, every possession will matter.
Here's everything you need to know to catch all the action, including TV channels, live stream options, and start times for the series.
How to Watch: Live Streams & TV Channels
Thanks to the NBA's expanded broadcast deal, games in this series will be split across NBC networks, Peacock, and Prime Video. Fans can stream every game live on DIRECTV, Peacock, or Prime Video—so no matter where you are, you won't miss a moment of the playoff drama.
Whether you're repping the Pistons' blue and red or cheering for the Cavs' wine and gold, this series is shaping up to be an unforgettable chapter in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Grab your gear, settle in, and get ready for tip-off.