2026 NBA Playoffs: Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 5 Best Bets, Odds & Player Props (May 13)

The Detroit Pistons will try to regain control with their Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers back in the Motor City tonight for Game 5. Much like Games 1 and 2, the Pistons are small favorites (-3.5 points). They went on to win Games 1 and 2 by ten points. Fans are certainly hoping for a similar outcome, if not better.

But the Cavs are no joke, as the Pistons have been finding out the last couple of games in Cleveland. However, for the Cavaliers to win the series, they’ll need to do something either tonight or in Game 7 that they have not done during the playoffs: win on the road.

(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Let’s take a look at the odds for the game and discuss how it may play out.

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NBA Playoffs Best Bets: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Game 5 Odds & Prediction

• Spread: Cleveland Cavaliers +4.5 (-118) | Detroit Pistons -4.5 (-104)
• Moneyline: Cleveland Cavaliers +148 | Detroit Pistons -176
• Total: O/U 211.5 (-114/-106)

Odds via FanDuel

It is not unusual for a team to play better at home than it does on the road. But the difference between how the Cavaliers have played on the road compared to at home in the postseason is extraordinary.

During the regular season, Cleveland had one of the better offenses in the NBA, averaging 119.2 points per game at home and 199.9 per game on the road. Defensively, it was just as similar, with a 114 defensive rating at Rocket Arena and a 114.3 defensive rating everywhere else.

But in the playoffs, it has been like a different team shows up at home compared to road games. At home, the Cavaliers have averaged 118.9 points per game with a defensive rating of 111.8. However, on the road, the offense disappears, with the Cavs averaging just 100.2 points per game (defensive rating — 114.6).

Some variance is to be expected in the postseason since games are only against other competitive teams; no soft opponents. But an 18-point difference against one of the best defenses in the league? That seems a bit extreme. So, of course, when you don’t bring your “A” game in the playoffs, you lose games. Between the first round and this series, the Cavaliers are winless on the road, 0-5. However, they were still 2-1 ATS when they played the Magic in Orlando, but are 0-2 ATS in Detroit.

As for Detroit, the Pistons have seen some variance regarding their production at home compared to playing on the road. Offensively, they are averaging 104.3 points per game at home and just 99.6 points per game on the road. Defensively, their rating at home is 104, but on the road it is 108.7.

What does this tell us?

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My Pick: Pistons -4.5 (-104)

It tells us that the Cavaliers could steal the series right out from under Detroit’s nose if they can just figure out how to play better basketball on the road. The key to doing just that could come down to one player picking up his game: James Harden.

Donovan Mitchell has averaged 33 points per game in this series, while Harden is averaging 18.8 points. Harden has always been a notoriously streaky player in the playoffs, so this is not unusual. But he was better against the Raptors (20.6 points per game). Without being able to count on Harden and with the Pistons playing well on both ends of the court at home, I don’t see the Cavs pulling off an upset in Game 5.

It’s not going to be a blowout, but the Pistons will cover.

Game 5 Best Bets: Cavaliers vs. Pistons Player Props

All odds via bet365

• James Harden, Over 6.5 Attempted 3-Pointers at -155

He has gone over this number three times in this series (including nine in Game 4) and six times in the postseason. He took only nine total between Games 6 and 7 in the first round. But he has taken 7+ in three of four games this series, so it is not a stretch to think he could attempt at least eight today to continue the trend. Counting on Harden to do anything is risky, but this prop has value.

• Tobias Harris, Over 18.5 Points at -120

Harris has averaged 19.5 points per game in this series, failing to go over this total for the first time in Game 4. In the first round, he averaged 21.6 points per game, going over this total in Games 3-7. So, prior to Game 4, he had gone over it in eight straight games. Harris has been incredibly consistent throughout the playoffs. There is no reason to doubt him now.

• Cade Cunningham, Under 26.5 Points at +100

Cunningham averaged 23.9 points per game during the regular season and 22.5 points per home game he played (28). He has stepped his game up during the playoffs, scoring 32.4 points per game against the Magic in the first round, but he has come back down to Earth in the Eastern Conference semis (23.5 points per game). Cunningham went over this total in six of seven games vs. Orlando, but has done so in just one of four vs. Cleveland.

The Cavaliers' defense is not great, but they know they can’t let Cunningham beat them. He’ll have another productive day, but don’t count on him to score more than 26 points.