Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons Match Player Stats

The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons match player stats from Game 3 of the 2026 Eastern Conference Semifinals tell a much more detailed story than the final score alone. Cleveland defeated Detroit 116-109 at Rocket Arena, cutting Detroit’s series lead to 2-1. The official NBA record lists the game as Saturday, May 9, 2026, while the recap was published on May 10. NBA official Game 3 box score and recap

Donovan Mitchell delivered Cleveland’s biggest scoring performance with 35 points and 10 rebounds, while James Harden added 19 points and 7 assists. On Detroit’s side, Cade Cunningham produced a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Tobias Harris also contributed 21 points, making this a game where several players produced significant numbers even though Cleveland controlled the final result.

The most interesting part of this matchup is that the box score does not tell the entire story by itself. Cleveland shot an outstanding 58.1% from the field, Detroit won the rebounding battle 40-33, and both teams committed 15 turnovers. The difference came largely from shooting efficiency, Cleveland’s fourth-quarter execution, and several critical possessions in the closing minutes.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons Match Player Stats: Game Overview

The matchup was Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.

Category	Cleveland Cavaliers	Detroit Pistons
Final Score	116	109
Q1	32	30
Q2	32	18
Q3	19	33
Q4	33	28
Field Goals	43-74	41-91
Field Goal %	58.1%	45.1%
Three-Pointers	12-32	9-25
Three-Point %	37.5%	36.0%
Free Throws	18-28	18-22
Rebounds	33	40
Assists	22	23
Turnovers	15	15
Steals	3	12
Blocks	7	4

One detail immediately stands out.

Detroit attempted 17 more field goals than Cleveland, yet Cleveland still scored seven more points.

That is a major clue about how this game developed.

Detroit generated more opportunities through its rebounding and defensive activity, but Cleveland converted its offensive possessions at a much higher rate. The Cavaliers made 43 of 74 attempts, while Detroit made 41 of 91.

That difference in shot efficiency became one of the defining statistical features of the game.

Donovan Mitchell’s 35-Point Performance

Donovan Mitchell was Cleveland’s leading scorer and one of the most important players in the entire matchup.

His final line was:

• 35 points
• 10 rebounds
• 4 assists
• 13-of-24 field goals
• 2-of-8 three-pointers
• 7-of-8 free throws
• 3 turnovers

Mitchell shot 54.2% from the field, which is especially notable considering his offensive workload.

He did not need to rely on an unusually hot three-point night. He made only two of his eight attempts from beyond the arc. Instead, his production came primarily through efficient overall shot-making, attacking opportunities, and free throws.

That distinction matters when reading the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons match player stats.

A player can score 35 points in several different ways. Mitchell’s performance was not simply a case of making a large number of three-pointers. His 13 made field goals and seven free throws show that he was consistently generating scoring opportunities.

His 10 rebounds also gave Cleveland an unexpected boost from its primary scorer.

For a guard, reaching double figures in rebounds can have a meaningful impact on possession control. Mitchell was not merely finishing Cleveland possessions. He was also helping end Detroit possessions.

James Harden’s Clutch Impact

James Harden finished with 19 points, 2 rebounds, and 7 assists.

His shooting numbers were:

• 8-of-14 from the field
• 3-of-7 from three-point range
• 19 total points
• 7 assists
• 3 turnovers

The raw scoring total does not fully explain his influence on the fourth quarter.

With Detroit repeatedly closing the gap, Harden produced several important baskets late. The final stretch included a step-back jumper, a driving floating shot, and a step-back three-pointer that pushed Cleveland’s advantage to 113-109 with 25.9 seconds remaining.

That sequence was particularly important because Detroit had continued to threaten despite Cleveland leading for much of the night.

Harden’s late scoring also showed why game context matters when interpreting individual statistics. A 19-point performance may look modest beside Mitchell’s 35, but Harden’s points arrived during several high-leverage possessions.

Jarrett Allen Provided Interior Production

Jarrett Allen scored 18 points while adding 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks.

His contribution gave Cleveland another reliable scoring option alongside Mitchell and Harden.

Allen’s interior presence was important because Detroit had a significant rebounding advantage overall. Cleveland could not afford to lose every battle around the basket while also allowing Detroit to create extra possessions.

The Cavaliers therefore benefited from efficient scoring from their frontcourt even though their total rebound count was lower.

Evan Mobley’s Two-Way Contribution

Evan Mobley finished with:

• 13 points
• 8 rebounds
• 4 assists
• 2 blocks

Mobley’s statistics are a useful reminder that impact cannot always be measured through scoring.

His eight rebounds helped Cleveland compete against Detroit’s stronger overall rebounding numbers, while his four assists added another passing element to Cleveland’s offense.

The two blocks also contributed to Cleveland’s seven total blocks.

Mobley’s combination of size, passing, rebounding, and defensive activity helped give Cleveland balance around its perimeter scoring.

Detroit Pistons Player Stats

Detroit’s individual numbers were led by Cade Cunningham, but several other players made meaningful contributions.

Cade Cunningham Triple-Double

Cade Cunningham recorded one of the most notable individual performances of the game:

• 27 points
• 10 rebounds
• 10 assists
• 10-of-27 shooting
• 8 turnovers

The triple-double is significant because Cunningham became the centerpiece of Detroit’s offense while also contributing heavily on the glass and as a passer.

However, the turnover total provides important context.

Cunningham committed eight turnovers, which reduced some of the value created by his scoring and playmaking. Detroit had 15 turnovers as a team, meaning Cunningham accounted for more than half of them.

That is an important distinction when examining the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons match player stats.

The same player can simultaneously be responsible for major positive production and major possession losses.

Cunningham’s 10 assists helped create offense for Detroit, but his eight turnovers gave Cleveland additional opportunities.

This is one reason why simply identifying the triple-double as the headline statistic would not provide the complete picture.

Tobias Harris Scores 21

Tobias Harris added 21 points for Detroit.

His shooting line was one of the more efficient performances on the Pistons:

• 21 points
• 5 rebounds
• 7-of-14 field goals
• 2-of-3 three-pointers
• 5-of-5 free throws

Harris shot 50% from the field and made both of his three-point attempts.

He provided Detroit with efficient secondary scoring while Cunningham carried much of the team’s creation responsibility.

The combination of Cunningham’s 27 and Harris’ 21 gave Detroit 48 points from two players.

Ausar Thompson’s All-Around Numbers

Ausar Thompson finished with:

• 9 points
• 7 rebounds
• 5 assists
• 2 blocks
• 4-of-10 shooting

His scoring was limited, but his other numbers show why his contribution was broader than his nine points.

Seven rebounds, five assists, and two blocks gave Detroit useful production in several categories.

Thompson also finished with a +12 plus-minus, which was one of Detroit’s better marks in the game.

Jalen Duren’s Efficient Shooting

Jalen Duren scored 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting.

He also recorded:

• 4 rebounds
• 1 assist
• 2 steals
• 3 turnovers

His 62.5% field-goal percentage was efficient, although Cleveland’s overall shooting efficiency remained significantly higher.

Other Detroit Contributors

Paul Reed scored 11 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting performance.

Duncan Robinson added 15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals while shooting 4-of-7 from three-point range.

Caris LeVert scored 6 points and collected 4 steals.

Isaiah Stewart scored 4 points, while Javonte Green added 3.

These smaller contributions mattered because playoff games often depend on whether supporting players can convert limited opportunities.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Stats Breakdown

Here is the primary Cleveland scoring and production breakdown.

Player	PTS	REB	AST	FG
Donovan Mitchell	35	10	4	13-24
James Harden	19	2	7	8-14
Jarrett Allen	18	4	1	Not provided
Evan Mobley	13	8	4	Not provided
Dennis Schroder	11	1	2	4-5
Max Strus	7	5	2	3-7
Sam Merrill	7	0	0	2-4
Jaylon Tyson	3	2	2	1-3

Dennis Schroder’s 11 points came on just five field-goal attempts. He also made all three of his three-point attempts.

That is an excellent example of efficient bench production.

Max Strus scored seven points but added five rebounds and two assists. His late-game defensive activity was also important, particularly when he generated a steal that helped Cleveland regain control.

Sam Merrill contributed seven points and made one of three attempts from three-point range.

Detroit Pistons Player Stats Breakdown

Player	PTS	REB	AST	FG
Cade Cunningham	27	10	10	10-27
Tobias Harris	21	5	0	7-14
Duncan Robinson	15	3	4	5-11
Jalen Duren	11	4	1	5-8
Paul Reed	11	3	4	4-4
Ausar Thompson	9	7	5	4-10
Caris LeVert	6	2	0	Not provided
Isaiah Stewart	4	2	Not provided	Not provided
Javonte Green	3	2	Not provided	Not provided

Detroit’s offensive production was relatively concentrated.

Cunningham and Harris combined for 48 points, while Robinson added 15.

The bigger question was efficiency. Detroit attempted 91 shots but converted only 41.

That meant the Pistons had to depend heavily on volume and additional possessions.

Shooting Efficiency Was the Biggest Statistical Difference

If one statistic deserves special attention from this game, it is field-goal percentage.

Cleveland:

43-of-74, 58.1%

Detroit:

41-of-91, 45.1%

That is a difference of approximately 13 percentage points.

Detroit actually attempted more shots, but Cleveland’s superior conversion rate overcame that volume advantage.

This is one of the clearest lessons from the box score.

More shots do not automatically mean better offensive performance.

A team can generate additional possessions through offensive rebounds, steals, or opponent turnovers. But if those possessions consistently end in missed shots, the advantage can disappear quickly.

Cleveland’s 58.1% shooting allowed it to make much more of its available opportunities.

Three-Point Shooting Was Closer Than the Final Score Suggests

The teams were relatively close from three-point range.

Cleveland:

• 12-of-32
• 37.5%

Detroit:

• 9-of-25
• 36.0%

Cleveland had a slight advantage, but this was not primarily a game decided by an enormous three-point discrepancy.

That makes the overall shooting numbers even more interesting.

Cleveland’s advantage came from its overall field-goal efficiency rather than simply bombing Detroit from beyond the arc.

Mitchell made 2-of-8 from three, while Harden made 3-of-7.

Detroit received excellent three-point shooting from Harris, who made 2-of-3, while Robinson connected on 4-of-7.

Detroit Won the Rebounding Battle

The Detroit collected 40 rebounds compared with Cleveland’s 33.

That seven-rebound advantage gave the Pistons an additional statistical edge.

Cunningham led Detroit with 10 rebounds, while Thompson added seven and Harris five.

Cleveland’s best rebounders were Mitchell with 10 and Mobley with eight.

The surprising element is that Cleveland won despite being outrebounded.

This reinforces the importance of looking at several categories together rather than assuming the team winning one statistical battle necessarily controls the game.

Detroit’s rebounding advantage created more opportunities, but Cleveland’s shooting efficiency and late-game execution were enough to overcome it.

Turnovers Were Identical

Both teams committed 15 turnovers.

At first glance, this suggests neither team had a clear advantage in ball security.

However, the distribution of those turnovers matters.

Cunningham was responsible for eight of Detroit’s 15 turnovers.

That means more than half of Detroit’s turnovers came from its primary offensive creator.

This becomes particularly important late in the game, when several Cunningham turnovers helped Cleveland regain control.

The official play-by-play shows Cunningham committed consecutive late turnovers, including possessions that led to Cleveland scoring opportunities. (NBA Stats)

Quarter-by-Quarter Analysis

First Quarter

Detroit opened with 30 points, while Cleveland scored 32.

The two teams were closely matched early.

Cunningham immediately established his offensive presence, while Duncan Robinson hit an early three-pointer.

Cleveland responded through Mitchell and Harden.

The opening quarter demonstrated that Detroit could create scoring opportunities, but Cleveland’s offensive efficiency kept the Cavaliers slightly ahead.

Second Quarter

The second quarter was Cleveland’s strongest statistical period.

Cleveland scored 32 points while Detroit managed only 18.

That 14-point difference created the foundation for the final result.

Cleveland’s ability to build a substantial lead during the second quarter was particularly important because Detroit later produced a major response.

Third Quarter

Detroit completely changed the rhythm after halftime.

The Pistons scored 33 points compared with Cleveland’s 19.

A 14-point Detroit advantage erased much of Cleveland’s earlier separation.

This was where Cunningham and Detroit’s supporting players pushed the game back into contention.

The third quarter is also a good example of why a halftime lead is not necessarily decisive in playoff basketball.

Fourth Quarter

The final period produced 33 points from Cleveland and 28 from Detroit.

The Pistons repeatedly threatened to take control.

Detroit eventually moved into a one-point lead with about five minutes remaining before Cleveland responded.

Harden then became central to the closing sequence.

His late scoring helped Cleveland regain separation, while Strus made an important defensive play.

Mitchell subsequently converted free throws to help close the game.

What the Box Score Really Reveals

The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons match player stats reveal several important tactical themes.

Cleveland Won Through Efficiency

Cleveland shot 58.1%.

That was the most obvious team-level advantage.

Even though Detroit collected seven more rebounds, the Cavaliers consistently got more value from their shot attempts.

Detroit Created More Defensive Pressure

Detroit recorded 12 steals compared with Cleveland’s three.

That is a significant difference.

The Pistons generated considerable defensive activity and forced Cleveland into 15 turnovers.

Yet those extra defensive plays did not translate into a victory because Detroit struggled to convert its own offensive opportunities efficiently enough.

Cleveland Had More Rim Protection

Cleveland finished with seven blocks.

Detroit had four.

Mobley and Allen both recorded two blocks, while Schroder also had two.

That interior defensive activity helped Cleveland withstand Detroit’s attempts to attack the paint.

The Final Minutes Were Decisive

The game was competitive deep into the fourth quarter.

Cleveland did not simply cruise from start to finish.

The final sequence demonstrated the importance of individual shot creation in playoff basketball.

Harden’s late baskets, Strus’ defensive play, and Mitchell’s free throws gave Cleveland enough separation to finish the game.

Why Cade Cunningham’s Triple-Double Needs Context

A triple-double normally becomes the headline of any NBA box score.

Cunningham’s 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists certainly deserved attention.

But his eight turnovers should also be included whenever the performance is evaluated.

That does not erase the value of the triple-double.

Instead, it provides a more complete statistical picture.

Cunningham was simultaneously Detroit’s primary scorer, rebounder, and facilitator. That massive offensive responsibility helped explain both his impressive production and his high turnover count.

In other words, his stat line demonstrates how much Detroit relied on him.

Why Donovan Mitchell’s 35 Points Were Different

Mitchell’s 35 points came with substantially better shooting efficiency than Cunningham’s 27.

Mitchell:

13-of-24, 54.2%

Cunningham:

10-of-27, 37.0%

Mitchell also reached 10 rebounds.

This combination made his performance especially valuable because Cleveland received high-level scoring without requiring an enormous number of attempts.

Mitchell’s offensive efficiency allowed Cleveland to score heavily while still giving other players opportunities.

Tobias Harris Was an Important Secondary Scorer

Harris’ 21 points should not get lost behind Cunningham’s triple-double.

He shot 50% from the field, made 2-of-3 three-pointers, and converted all five free throws.

That gave Detroit a dependable scoring option alongside Cunningham.

The challenge for Detroit was that the team needed more efficient production across the roster.

The Pistons had several players who contributed, but Cleveland’s top players converted their opportunities at a higher overall rate.

Duncan Robinson’s Five Steals Stand Out

Robinson’s 15 points were useful, but his five steals were arguably the more unusual statistic.

He also made four three-pointers.

That means Robinson contributed in two very different areas: perimeter scoring and defensive disruption.

His performance helped Detroit maintain pressure on Cleveland.

However, his late foul and missed three-point attempt were part of the closing sequence in which Cleveland ultimately protected its lead.

How to Read These Stats Like an Analyst

If you are researching Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons match player stats, it helps to use a simple process.

Start With the Score

First establish:

• Final score
• Quarter scores
• Series situation
• Home or road setting

This provides the basic context.

Check Shooting

Next compare:

• Field-goal attempts
• Field-goal percentage
• Three-point percentage
• Free-throw percentage

This tells you how efficiently each team converted possessions.

Examine Possession Factors

Then look at:

• Rebounds
• Turnovers
• Steals
• Offensive rebounds

These categories help explain why a team may have more or fewer opportunities.

Identify Usage Leaders

Finally, examine which players carried the workload.

For Detroit, Cunningham was the central offensive engine.

For Cleveland, Mitchell provided the largest scoring load while Harden handled significant playmaking responsibility.

This method is more useful than simply searching for the player who scored the most points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who scored the most points in Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 3?

Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 35 points for Cleveland. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 27 points.

Did Cade Cunningham record a triple-double?

Yes. Cunningham finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. He also committed eight turnovers.

How many points did James Harden score?

James Harden scored 19 points and added seven assists for Cleveland.

Who led Cleveland in rebounds?

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 10 rebounds.

Which team had more rebounds?

Detroit had 40 rebounds, compared with 33 for Cleveland.

What was the final score?

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 116-109 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Conclusion

The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons match player stats show a playoff game decided by efficiency and execution rather than one simple statistical category.

Donovan Mitchell’s 35 points and 10 rebounds gave Cleveland its primary scoring force. James Harden’s 19 points and seven assists became especially valuable during the closing minutes. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley supplied important frontcourt production, while Cleveland’s overall 58.1% field-goal shooting gave the team a major efficiency advantage.

Detroit received an outstanding all-around performance from Cade Cunningham, who recorded 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Tobias Harris added 21 points, while Duncan Robinson contributed 15 points and five steals. Detroit also won the rebounding battle and generated 12 steals.

Yet Cleveland converted its offensive chances at a much higher rate.

The result was a 116-109 Cavaliers victory that reduced Detroit’s series advantage to 2-1. The numbers show why the matchup was much closer and more complicated than the final seven-point margin suggests.