3 things to watch in Pistons-Cavaliers Game 4


James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to even their 2026 Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Pistons on NBC and Peacock.

Enjoy the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Monday’s action.

Tonight’s action with the Cleveland Cavaliers looking to defend The Land and even their season with the Detroit Pistons (8 ET, NBC / Peacock), followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder seeking to remain perfect and eliminate the Los Angeles Lakers to advance to the Western Conference Finals (10:30 ET, Prime).

What we know about Monday’s games:

  • The Thunder are the sixth NBA champion to open their repeat Playoff campaign by going 7-0, joining teams like the 2016-17 Cavaliers (10-0), 2000-01 Lakers (11-0) and 1992-93 Bulls (7-0).

MAY 11, 2026 / 9:52 ET

Paul Reed keeping the Pistons alive

BBall Paul (7 pts) has rallied the Pistons in the midst of this Cavalanche, cutting the lead to 80-68 with 3:12 to go in the third quarter.

He just went at Jarrett Allen, attacking from the perimeter to spin into a hook shot, then sinking it over the shot-blocking center. Pretty impressive.

MAY 11, 2026 / 9:45 ET

A 21-0 Cavaliers run

73-56 Cavaliers with 6:29 to go in the third quarter, as the Cavs continue their scoring streak.

It’s the largest run in Cavaliers postseason history.

MAY 11, 2026 / 9:39 ET

Cleveland rolling

68-56 Cavs with 8:16 to go in the third quarter, as James Harden (18 pts) and Donovan Mitchell (15 pts) splash back-to-back threes to force a Detroit timeout.

It’s a 16-0 Cleveland run to open the second half.

MAY 11, 2026 / 9:35 ET

Cavaliers surge into second half

Donovan Mitchell (12 pts) put up the first eight points of the quarter to the Cavaliers, sparking them to a 60-56 lead with just over ten minutes remaining.

A slow first half doesn’t mean a slow second half, especially if you’re a scorer like Spida.

MAY 11, 2026 / 9:18 ET

Pistons lead 56-52 at the half

Caris LeVert (17 pts) and Tobias Harris (14 pts, 9 reb) are leading the way for the Pistons, as they shoot 55% to take a four-point lead into the half.

“Just trying to take what was given to me,” said LeVert.

James Harden (15 pts, 6 ast) is hot for Cleveland, but Donovan Mitchell (4 pts, 1-of-8 shooting) has yet to get on track.

MAY 11, 2026 / 8:49 ET

Cavs on an 11-3 run

Sam Merrill knocked down a quick catch-and-shoot 3-pointer to give the Cavaliers a 32-31 lead with 8:48 to go in the second period.

On the possession prior, Max Strus (5 pts) stole the ball from Ausar Thompson and raced back for a jam.

The Cavs’ energy is picking up in front of their home crowd as they seek to even the series.

MAY 11, 2026 / 8:42 ET

Pistons up 24-21 after one

Caris LeVert (10 pts) is +14 so far for the Pistons, swinging momentum on the road for Detroit.

MAY 11, 2026 / 8:27 ET

Pistons rallying back

18-15 Cleveland with 5:18 to go in the first quarter, as former Cav Caris LeVert (5 pts, 1 ast) hits a 3-pointer to send us to a break.

LeVert spent three-plus seasons in Cleveland, averaging 12.5 ppg.

MAY 11, 2026 / 8:15 ET

Harden out to a hot start

El Uno (8 pts) is en fuego to start Game 4, knocking down two 3-pointers and getting to the line in the early minutes.

Harden (4,090) is 12th on the all-time Playoff scoring list, chasing Stephen Curry (4,147) for 11th. Jerry West (4,457) is 10th.

MAY 11, 2026 / 7:00 ET

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers look to stave off elimination against the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight on Prime.

Los Angeles:

  • PG Austin Reaves
    • Reaves led the Lakers with 39 minutes played in Game 3. He’s a talented scorer, but needs to hold up defensively as best he can against the Thunder’s size and slashing ability.
  • SG Marcus Smart
    • Smart has held Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to nine points on 3-of-7 shooting over 86.6 partial possession in this series, forcing three turnovers.
  • SF Rui Hachimura
    • Hachimura is shooting 58% from 3-point range during this Playoff run, including 5-of-8 from deep in Game 3.
  • PF LeBron James
    • James has been swept three times in his career — by the Spurs in the 2007 NBA Finals, the Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals and the Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals.
  • C Deandre Ayton
    • Ayton has been adequate at best so far in this series, and hasn’t outplayed Chet Holmgren in any game. Can he rally with the Lakers’ season on the line?

Oklahoma City:

  • PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
    • SGA is averaging 21.0 ppg in this series, deferring some to his teammates. 
  • SG Ajay Mitchell
    • That includes Mitchell, who had 24 points and 10 assists in Game 3 — both Playoff career highs.
  • SF Luguentz Dort
    • Dort has been reasonably effective on LeBron James, despite his size disadvantage, and scored a season-high 10 points in Game 3.
  • PF Chet Holmgren
    • Holmgren’s size and shot-blocking ability are difficult for the Lakers to deal with — there’s no natural counter.
  • C Isaiah Hartenstein
    • Hartenstein (12 pts, 9 reb) is a consistent problem on the glass for the Lakers — every rebound he gets is a boost for OKC.

Can the Lakers find a boost off the bench? JJ Redick is running out of options.

He turned to Adou Thiero, who averaged six minutes in the regular season, for 13 minutes in Game 3. The 6’8″ wing gives the Lakers some size against the more physical, athletic Thunder.

MAY 11, 2026 / 6:30 ET

James Harden and Cade Cunningham lead the Cavaliers and Pistons into tonight’s Game 4 on NBC and Peacock.

Cleveland:

  • PG James Harden
    • The Beard scored seven of his 19 points late in Game 3, showing his Playoff experience. Against a sizable Pistons squad, outside shooting and the floater are key to his success.
  • SG Donovan Mitchell
    • Mitchell had 35 points and 10 rebounds in Game 3 — his sixth Playoff double-double, and his third involving rebounds.
  • SF Dean Wade
    • Wade had three points in 17 minutes in Game 3, while Max Strus took most of the minutes at small forward. His size is useful against Cade Cunningham, but his lack of ability off the bounce hampers the Cleveland offense.
  • PF Evan Mobley
    • Mobley has not had a dominant game in this series yet, despite playing against a Pistons’ team that typically plays only one true big. Can he control the glass against this team?
  • C Jarrett Allen
    • Allen had 18 points on nine shots in Game 3, showing his skill as a roller. 

Detroit:

  • PG Cade Cunningham
    • Cunningham had a triple-double in Game 3 (27 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast), but required 27 shots to do so. The main way to slow the Pistons is to limit his efficiency.
  • SG Duncan Robinson
    • Robinson racked up five steals in Game 3 — the first such game of his career.
  • SF Ausar Thompson
    • Thompson has held Donovan Mitchell to 1-of-7 shooting so far over 61.6 partial possessions in this series. 
  • PF Tobias Harris
    • Harris kept up his clutch scoring in Game 3 with 21 points. After not putting up back-to-back 20+ point games in the regular season, he now has three straight in this series.
  • C Jalen Duren
    • Duren was -14 in Game 3, while backup Paul Reed was +11. Keep an eye on the minutes distribution in Game 4.

MAY 11, 2026 / 6:00 ET

Monday’s injury report

Kevin Huerter and Caris LeVert are questionable for the Pistons, while Thomas Bryant is questionable for the Cavaliers.

Jalen Williams is out for the Thunder, while Luka Dončić is out for the Lakers.





Source link