On Wednesday, May 13, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons meet at Little Caesars Arena in a pivotal Game 5 in the 2025-26 NBA Playoffs. This Eastern Conference Semifinals series is all tied up at 2-2, as the Cavaliers won both of their games at home. But can this Cleveland team find a way to win on the road? The team hasn’t yet done it in the postseason. Find out in our Cavaliers vs. Pistons betting preview. Also check out our VSiN NBA Playoffs Betting Hub for all of our NBA postseason content.

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How To Watch Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 5

When: 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, May 13

Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan

Channel: ESPN

Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 5 Odds

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of 8:00 am ET on Wednesday, May 13

Moneyline: Pistons -175, Cavaliers +145

Spread: Pistons -3.5 (-118), Cavaliers +3.5 (-102)

Total: Over 212.5 (-112), Under 212.5 (-108)

Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 5 Picks

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The spread for this game has been bouncing around between 3 and 4.5. Our VSiN betting splits pages show significant action on Detroit, but that’s not the way I’d be looking here.

I won’t be on a traditional side in this one, but I do think the Pistons need to prove they can stop the Cavaliers. Sure, that might be a little easier playing at home, as Cleveland hasn’t won a road game this postseason. However, in Games 3 and 4, the Cavaliers started getting whatever shots they wanted, which had a lot to do with JB Bickerstaff being forced to play Ausar Thompson fewer minutes. Cleveland isn’t letting the second-year pro make an impact on offense, so Bickerstaff has had to turn to some offense-forward lineups. That makes his defense vulnerable. On top of that, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden have just gotten comfortable going to work against this defense.

It’s also worth noting that Bickerstaff hasn’t been very good in tied series. In his coaching career, his teams are just 3-4 straight-up and 2-5 against the spread when a playoff series is tied. That includes a 1-2 record both SU and ATS since arriving in Detroit.

I’ll also point out that Evan Mobley is coming off his best game of the series for the Cavaliers. While Harden and Mitchell have found their games offensively, Mobley finally tapped into his Defensive Player of the Year past in Game 4. He had five blocks and three steals in the game, and he was absolutely everywhere in that one. If he can continue to be a presence on the defensive end, that only makes his team tougher to beat. Mobley also played well offensively last game, finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

It’d simply be Cleveland or pass for me, especially if you can get +5.5 without having to deal with significant juice. However, the way I’m playing this is by parlaying the Cavaliers on an alternate spread of +10.5 with the Timberwolves on an alternate spread of +10.5. That second game will be a Game 6 in Minnesota on Friday night.

I do, however, have something for just this game. I’m going Mitchell Over 35.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists. Over the last three games, Mitchell is averaging 46.3 PRA. He exploded for 49 in Game 3, then he followed it up with 50 in Game 4. Mitchell has just been relentless creating off the dribble, his threes are starting to fall, and he’s playing an extremely aggressive brand of basketball.

Best Bet: Mitchell Over 35.5 PRA (-108)
PARLAY: Cavaliers Alt +10.5 vs. Pistons G5 & Timberwolves Alt +10.5 vs. Spurs (-115 – 1.5 units)

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