Photo: Ken Blaze ~ Imagn Images
DETROIT ~ The Detroit Pistons let a golden opportunity slip away Monday night in Cleveland, falling 112–103 to the Cavaliers in Game 4 and watching their once-comfortable series lead dissolve into a 2–2 tie. Detroit controlled the tone for much of the first half and took a 56–52 lead into halftime, but the night flipped almost instantly after the break. Cleveland stormed out of the locker room and turned the game on its head, reminding everyone why playoff momentum can change in a matter of minutes.
The decisive stretch came early in the third quarter, when the Cavaliers ripped off a 24–0 run that completely buried Detroit’s rhythm. Guard Donovan Mitchell authored the takeover, detonating for 43 points overall. Detroit had no answer once Mitchell saw the rim widen, as Cleveland outscored the Pistons 38–21 in the third quarter to seize control for good.
PODCAST:
May 12, 2026 ~ WJR Digital Sports Reporter Nick Lundberg recaps last night’s Pistons’ game and reacts to early Lions schedule leaks.
(CONTINUED) Despite the loss, Detroit showed pockets of grit that kept the final score respectable. Guard Caris LeVert led the Pistons with 24 points off the bench, attacking the paint and providing energy when the offense stalled. Guard Cade Cunningham finished with 19 points and six assists, while forward Tobias Harris added 16 points and eight rebounds. Detroit struggled with turnovers and shot just 10 of 23 from 3-point range. The Pistons were within single digits late but couldn’t string together stops against Cleveland’s stars.
For Detroit, Game 4 was a painful reminder that playoff basketball rarely forgives lapses in focus. What looked like a road win at halftime turned into a momentum swing that now sends the series back to Detroit as a best-of-three. The Pistons still hold their season-long identity, tough defense and balance, but Game 4 showed that even brief letdowns can be fatal against elite shot-makers like Mitchell. With home court back in play, the response in Game 5 on Wednesday night will define whether this was simply a stumble or the start of something worse.
