Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineups and Depth Charts For Tonight (May 9) | Game 3, 2026 NBA Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers are one loss away from falling into an 0-3 hole in their second-round series against the Detroit Pistons. After falling to the Pistons 111-101 in Game 1, the Cavaliers looked to bounce back in Game 2. Unfortunately, they did not get the result they had hoped for, as they lost 107-97 on Thursday.

Game 2 started off horribly for the Cavaliers, as they were down by at least 10 points early in the game. Still, the third period yielded a decent push from Cleveland. The Pistons then took full control and added salt to the wound in the fourth quarter.

Now, the Cavaliers are facing a must-win Game 3. If they are unable to pull off a victory, the Pistons will take a commanding 3-0 series lead and be one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2008. This would be brutal for Cleveland, as coming back from a 3-0 series deficit is extremely rare in the league.

However, if the Cavaliers defeat the Pistons, they would be right back in the series, down just 2-1. This would open the door for them to potentially tie it at 2-2 with another win in Game 4, making Game 3 a crucial matchup.

But they need a far better effort from their entire roster. Particularly James Harden, who has been in an all-time slump in the first two games of the series. He posted a team-worst -15 in Game 1 and went 3-of-13 from the field, 0-for-4 from three-point range, along with four turnovers. It’s beginning to cost them games.

Detroit’s depth has also been a big advantage. Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris have been leading the Pistons so far this postseason, and the team will need both to continue to show up.

Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report In Game 3

Detroit Pistons injury Report

The Pistons listed Kevin Huerter as questionable with an abductor strain. Huerter did not play in Games 1 and 2 against the Cavaliers. He also missed the last three games of the Pistons’ 4-3 first-round series win over the Orlando Magic.

Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report

Similarly, the Cavaliers have a player on the injury report with Sam Merrill being listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. Merrill played 7 minutes in Game 1 and did not return for the rest of the game. He did not play in Game 2 and will be a game-time decision ahead of Game 3.

Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineups and Depth Charts in Game 3

Detroit Pistons Starting Lineup and Depth Chart

J.B. Bickerstaff is expected to once again field the same lineup of Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren, and no lineup changes are anticipated.

Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineup and Depth Chart

For Cleveland, though, anything could be on the table as the team looks to get some life. There were noises around replacing James Harden with Dennis Schr0der, but that looks unlikely, as coach Kenny Atkinson is most likely to deploy the same unit of James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

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