How to Watch Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 1 - NBA Conference Semifinals Tuesday on Peacock
The Eastern Conference Semifinals continue with two teams fresh off Game 7 victories.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons are both fresh off Game 7 victories over the weekend, two of three such teams remaining in the Eastern Conference who now have another big series with very little rest.
For the Pistons, the Conference Semifinals represent a shot at redemption after they fought tooth and nail to hold off the No. 8 Seed Orlando Magic in the First Round. For the Cavaliers, this series is a chance to keep momentum going after they held off a very talented Toronto Raptors squad. The Game 7 battles, plus the upset of the Boston Celtics in the First Round, really make the East feel like anyone's Conference right now, and the battle for the title could run through either Detroit or Cleveland, depending on what happens next live on the NBA on NBC.
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How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Game 1
The Cavaliers and the Pistons will tip off their series Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET, live on Peacock. The matchup marks the third of the four Conference Semifinal Game 1 matchups NBC Sports will host this week, and begins a Tuesday night doubleheader that'll wrap up with the Thunder and the Lakers later Tuesday night.
Noah Eagle will call the game for NBC Sports, with analysis from Grant Hill and Robbie Hummel and courtside reporting from Ashley ShahAhmadi. Be sure to tune in early for NBA Showtime, Peacock's exclusive pregame show, at 6 p.m. ET, as host Maria Taylor and experts Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady take a look at the Playoff picture and look ahead to the night's action.
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What to expect from Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 1
Though their seeding in the Playoffs might not suggest it, these teams are actually quite evenly matched when their stars are healthy. They played four times during the regular season and both went 2-2, and statistically they tend to line up in similar ways. So, what's the difference maker?
As it was in the regular season, it just might be the Pistons' defense. So far in the Playoffs they lead the field in fewest points allowed and most blocks, and they're trailing just behind the Timberwolves for most rebounds. They managed to keep a hungry Magic team under 100 points on average in their First Round series, and they could keep Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs at least relatively locked down. What do the Cavs have that the Pistons don't? A crew of shooters who spread the points around. The Pistons have leaned heavily on Cade Cunningham so far this postseason, while Mitchell, veteran guard James Harden, and the rest of the Cavs squad have spread things around a little more efficiently. If everyone's a weapon, that makes it harder for the Pistons defense, but if Cunningham's in top form you also can't count on outscoring Detroit.
It all comes down to which team can lock in faster, and with Game 1 in Detroit, the Pistons have the edge to start.
