Game 6 tonight — Cavaliers can clinch series against Pistons after taking 3–2 lead

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter Game 6 on Friday night one win from the Eastern Conference finals after a 117-113 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on May 13 gave them a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. NBA.com lists Friday’s game at 7 p.m. ET in Cleveland on Prime Video, with a Game 7 scheduled for Sunday, May 17, in Detroit if needed. The New York Knicks have already advanced and await the winner of the series. ### How did Cleveland take control of the series? The Cavaliers erased a nine-point deficit in the final three minutes of Game 5 to take back home-court advantage. NBA.com said Cleveland trailed 103-94 with 3:00 remaining, closed regulation on a 9-0 run, and then outscored Detroit 14-10 in overtime. (nba.com) James Harden led Cleveland with 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists in that win, according to NBA.com’s recap. Max Strus added 20 points and hit six 3-pointers, while Evan Mobley finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. (nba.com) ### What did Detroit get from Cade Cunningham in Game 5? Cade Cunningham scored 39 points in Game 5, and NBA.com listed him as Detroit’s top performer in the loss. The site said Cunningham also posted either seven or nine rebounds and either nine or seven assists in separate recap entries, but both versions showed he carried the Pistons offense deep into the fourth quarter. (nba.com) Detroit forced 16 turnovers in Game 5, NBA.com said, but the Pistons had limited scoring support. Daniss Jenkins scored 19 points and Tobias Harris added 13, with no other Detroit player reaching double figures in the recap. ### What has this series looked like through five games? (nba.com) The NBA’s series page lists Detroit as the No. 1 seed and Cleveland as the No. 4 seed in the East semifinals. Detroit won the first two games, 111-101 and 107-97, before Cleveland answered with three straight wins: 116-109, 112-103 and 117-113 in overtime. (nba.com) Series leaders listed by NBA.com entering Game 6 are Donovan Mitchell for Cleveland at 30.6 points per game and Cunningham for Detroit at 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 8.4 assists. The same page lists the teams even at 108.6 points per game in the series. ### What is at stake in Game 6? Game 6 gives Cleveland its first chance to close the series and reach the conference finals. (nba.com) The NBA playoff bracket shows New York already through after a 4-0 series win over Philadelphia. Sunday, May 17, is reserved for a Game 7 in Detroit if the Pistons extend the series on Friday, according to the NBA playoff schedule. (nba.com) The NBA lists the Eastern Conference finals matchup as New York against Detroit or Cleveland, with dates still to be announced. ### Where can viewers find the game tonight? (nba.com) Friday’s Game 6 is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video, according to the NBA’s series page and playoff schedule. NBA.com’s Game 5 recap also said the teams would reconvene Friday at 7 ET on Prime Video. June 3 is the scheduled start of the 2026 NBA Finals on ABC, according to the league’s postseason calendar, but Cleveland and Detroit first have Game 6 on May 15 and, if necessary, Game 7 on May 17. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)