The Detroit Pistons took a 2-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers following their win in Game 2.
Cade Cunningham led the way for the Pistons, finishing with 25 points, three rebounds, 10 assists and two blocks in their 107-97 win. Tobias Harris had another big game, putting up 21 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while Daniss Jenkins scored 14 points off the bench.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell had 31 points for the Cavs. James Harden struggled with just 10 points on 3-for-13 shooting and committing four turnovers. The series now shifts back to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4.
Cade Cunningham Reveals Pistons Mentality
GettyCade Cunningham #2 and Duncan Robinson #55 of the Detroit Pistons react during the fourth quarter of a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Cade Cunningham discussed the Pistons’ mentality heading to Cleveland with a 2-0 series lead.
Cunningham isn’t feeling confident about their lead, especially after coming back from a 3-1 deficit against the Orlando Magic in the first round. They just want to take everything one game at a time.
“Being up 2-0 right now, we know it’s a thin line still,” Cunningham said, via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. “So, it’s one game at a time. We’ve got to go into Cleveland now and they’re going to have their home fans around them, they’re going to have more energy in there, so we’ve got to handle our business and be focused.”
The star guard added, “Just trying to find the best way to execute, but going through that series, you realize how long a playoff series can be, and it’s a war more so than just a battle. Being down 3-1 and then having a one-game-at-a-time mentality, fighting our way back into it and then winning it, coming down on the right side of it, was a great thing.”
The Pistons were ahead by 14 points at one point in the first half, but the Cavs took the lead early in the fourth quarter. But Cunningham took over and scored 12 of his 25 points in the final 10 minutes of the game.
Cade Cunningham Joins Exclusive List After Game 2
GettyCade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the Orlando Magic during game one of the first round of the eastern conference playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on April 19, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.
With another 20-point performance in Game 2, Cade Cunningham has scored 20 points or more in 15 straight consecutive playoff games. It’s the fourth-longest streak in NBA postseason history behind a trio of legends: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
According to ESPN Research, Cunningham just needs to score 20-plus points in Games 3 and 4 to surpass Davis’ record. James’ number is 19, while Abdul-Jabbar’s record is at 27.
As for the Pistons, ESPN Research also found out that the franchise has a 12-1 record all-time when having a 2-0 series lead in the playoffs. 92% of NBA teams with the same 2-0 lead also won the series.
Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, with tip-off at 3:00 p.m. EST. The Cavs are 4-0 at home in this year’s playoffs.
Cade Cunningham Reveals Pistons Mentality After Game 2 Win vs Cavaliers