Following their disappointing loss in Game 5, an NBA expert explains why the Detroit Pistons are upset, and the Cleveland Cavaliers will head to the Eastern Conference Finals after Friday night.
Pistone did not want to be in this situation again. In the quarterfinals of this year's playoffs, the former No. 1 seed suffered a 3–1 loss in their series with the Orlando Magic. However, this mostly young team showed its mettle by battling back and defeating Orlando in a do-or-die Game 7 last week.
They then started their semi-final series against the Cavaliers with a decisive win. It seemed like the team that was so dominant during the regular season was back and performing better. However, over the past week, the wheels on the bus have worn off, and Detroit now finds itself on the verge of elimination after blowing a nine-point lead in the final minutes of Game 5.
It was one of the worst losses to the franchise in decades and may be looked upon with regret for years to come. Still, there's reason to believe that after such a crushing loss the Pistons can circle the wagons again and force a Game 7 on Sunday. However, on Thursday morning, The Athletic NBA expert Zach Harper explained why Detroit fans should be very concerned.
Cade Cunningham has been good, but not great, against the Cavaliers
Detroit's loss on Wednesday wasn't just about a bad night or a bad few minutes. It was about the issues that have been going on for the last few weeks. Cade Cunningham had 39 points, nine assists and six threes in Game 5. Numbers that should lead to victory. But Harper pointed to a bigger problem with the Pistons' top star at the moment.
"[Cunningham] Harper wrote, "There were six more turnovers, bringing their turnover total to 69 in 12 games." He also noted Cunningham "fell asleep" late in overtime and allowed James Harden to get his rebound off a missed free throw. A mistake that couldn't happen at such a crucial moment.
Then Jalen Duren continues to disappear. A player who had a big breakout season in 2025-26 has been a huge disappointment in the playoffs. In 12 games, he is shooting 50% from the field, down from 65% during the season, and scoring half as many points a night as he did in the regular season.
Yet, in Game 5, things reached a new low point as he played only a few minutes in the fourth quarter and was benched for the entire overtime. Duren is the reason the Pistons had a great regular season, and he's the reason they're likely to be out in Game 6 on Friday night.
Detroit Pistons didn't get the best version of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5
What makes things seem more ominous as the series returns to Cleveland is that the Cavaliers didn't get great nights from their top stars on Wednesday. While Harden had 30 points, 8 boards and 6 assists, he shot 8-21 from the field and committed six turnovers. Donovan Mitchell had 21 points on 18 shots.
If not for Evan Mobley's 19 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, the Pistons would have won Game 5.
Detroit can certainly win on Friday night, but there are ample indications that Cleveland will go 7-0 at home in these playoffs and advance to the Conference Finals in Game 6.
