The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to face the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 27, 2026, in one of the biggest Eastern Conference matchups of the week. Both teams are among the top contenders in the East, and this game could have a major impact on playoff seeding. Detroit enters the contest in excellent form and with a healthy roster, while Cleveland comes in shorthanded and dealing with multiple injury concerns.
The Pistons have been one of the strongest home teams this season, winning games comfortably with their physical defense and balanced offense. Cleveland, despite being one of the league’s highest-scoring teams, could struggle without key players, especially with Donovan Mitchell already ruled out and James Harden’s availability uncertain.
This preview includes full match details, current standings, recent form, injury updates, key player stats, head-to-head trends, and the best betting picks for tonight’s NBA game.
Match Information
| Match | Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons |
|---|---|
| Date | February 27, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit |
| TV | ESPN |
| Spread | Pistons -5.5 to -6 |
| Over/Under | 227 – 228.5 |
Current Standings & Team Stats
| Team | Record | Win % | Points Per Game | Points Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cavaliers | 37-23 | 61.7% | 119.5 | 115.1 |
| Pistons | 43-14 | 75.4% | 117.4 | 109.5 |
Recent Form (Last 10 Games)
| Team | Last 10 | ATS | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavaliers | 8-2 | 6-4 ATS | High-scoring games |
| Pistons | 8-2 | 6-4 ATS | Strong home dominance |
Detroit has won nine of its last 11 games and continues to control games with defense and rebounding, while Cleveland remains competitive despite lineup changes.
Also see: Precious Achiuwa Delivers Career Night: 29-Point Performance Leads Kings Past Mavericks
Injury Report
Cleveland Cavaliers
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell | Out – Groin |
| James Harden | Day-to-day – Thumb |
| Dennis Schroder | Day-to-day – Ankle |
| Dean Wade | Day-to-day – Ankle |
| Keon Ellis | Day-to-day – Finger |
| Max Strus | Out – Foot |
Detroit Pistons
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Isaiah Stewart | Out – Suspension |
Key Player Stats (Season Averages)
Detroit Pistons
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cade Cunningham | 25.4 | 5.7 | 9.8 |
| Jalen Duren | 18.2 | 10.6 | 1.7 |
| Tobias Harris | 13.0 | 5.2 | 2.3 |
| Ausar Thompson | 10.2 | 5.8 | 2.9 |
| Duncan Robinson | 12.4 | 2.7 | 1.9 |
Cleveland Cavaliers
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Harden | 24.5 | 4.8 | 8.1 |
| Evan Mobley | 17.5 | 8.6 | 3.9 |
| Jarrett Allen | 15.1 | 8.6 | 1.9 |
| Dennis Schroder | 12.2 | 2.9 | 5.1 |
| Jaylon Tyson | 13.5 | 5.4 | 2.2 |
Head-to-Head (H2H)
| Category | Result | Status |
| Season Series | Tied 1-1 | Correct. Cleveland won in Oct 2025; Detroit won in Jan 2026. |
| Recent Meeting | DET 114 – 110 CLE | Detroit won the most recent clash on Jan 4, 2026. |
| Average Total | ~217.5 points | Update: The average of the two games this season is lower than your initial estimate ($116+95$ and $114+110$). |
| Next Matchup | Feb 27, 2026 | Tonight! (7:00 PM ET) |
The teams have been evenly matched this season, but roster availability could play a major role in this meeting.
Betting Trends
- Pistons are 22-7 at home this season
- Detroit ranks among the best defensive teams in the league
- Cavaliers games have gone over the total in many recent matchups
- Pistons are second in rebounding rate
- Detroit allows one of the lowest field-goal percentages to opponents
Best Picks for Cavaliers vs Pistons
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Spread | Pistons -6 |
| Total | Over 227 |
| Player Prop | Cade Cunningham Over 25.5 Points |
| Moneyline | Pistons to Win |
Match Prediction
Detroit enters this game with the healthier roster, strong home performance, and one of the league’s best defensive systems. Cleveland’s offense remains dangerous, but missing key players could make it difficult to keep pace for four quarters.
If Cunningham controls the tempo and Detroit dominates the paint, the Pistons should take control early and maintain their advantage.
Predicted Score:
Pistons 118 – Cavaliers 112
The Pistons have the momentum, depth, and home-court advantage to win this matchup. Cleveland’s injury concerns, especially in the backcourt, make this a difficult road game. Expect Detroit to cover the spread and continue their strong run in the Eastern Conference.
