Where to Watch the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Game Tonight: Time, Streaming, Breakdown

The Cavaliers play their toughest challenge since the All-Star Break tonight, taking on the best team in the NBA.

Jan 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) listens to the national anthem before the game between the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Injuries have returned to the Cavaliers. Against the Milwaukee Bucks, there was no Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, or James Harden, who is dealing with a finger injury.

Last time out, Cleveland was unable to stop Milwaukee's top five three-point scoring offense or put them at the line enough despite being the worst free throw shooting team in the league.

Jarrett Allen had a chance to send the game to overtime at the buzzer but he was .1 seconds too late and the Cavs lost 118-116.

Tonight, Cleveland takes the trip to Detroit to visit the best team in the NBA. The Cavs will be looking to overcome some major injuries and pick up a big upset win over the Pistons.

Detroit's major success can be attributed to the MVP-caliber season from Cade Cunningham. Despite Cunngingham’s major success this year, in the two games he's played against the Cavs he has not been his best.

He is averaging 20 points and shooting only 27% from the field. His only success has come from the line in these games, last time out he went 11-11 from the line when they beat the Cavs.

One game that coach Atkinson could have studied was the game between the Spurs and Pistons where San Antonio completely shut down everything on offense for the Pistons. They had Cade shooting 5-26 on the day and the team only made seven 3 pointers

ESPN also announced an “All-Access” game between the Cavs and Pistons tonight with unrestricted access into both teams.

Where to catch the Cavaliers at Pistons game?

Channel: ESPN

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Injury Report

Pistons: Isaiah Stewart (suspension)

Cavs: Max Strus (foot) is out. Donovan Mitchell (groin) is out. Dean Wade (ankle) is questionable. James Harden (thumb) is questionable. Keon Ellis (finger) is questionable. Dennis Schroder (ankle) is questionable.

Projected Starting Lineups

Pistons

• Cade Cunningham

• Duncan Robinson

• Ausar Thompson

• Tobias Harris

• Jalen Duren

Cavs

• James Harden

• Sam Merrill

• Jaylon Tyson

• Evan Mobley

• Jarrett Allen

Cavs at Pistons predictions, odds, best bets

Odds: Detroit -6.5

O/U: 227.5

Best Bet: James Harden over 30 points for the first time in Cleveland. +400.

Cavaliers 107, Pistons 116: It will be tough for the Cavaliers to come out and win outright, but one thing they can do today is sacrifice some offense for defense. Without  Mitchell and potentially Harden you give more time to Craig Porter Jr. and Jaylon Tyson who are decent two way players.

If Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are among the guys playing tonight, they can respond physically to the way Detroit is playing this year. If they get frustrated it becomes easier to attack.

All NBA Odds on FanDuel

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Cavaliers 2025-2026 Schedule

• Sunday, Mar. 1 @ Brooklyn

• Tuesday, Mar. 3 vs. Detroit

• Sunday, Mar. 8 vs. Boston