By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 116–109 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, on Saturday in Rocket Arena. The victory reduced the best-of-seven series deficit to 2–1.
Germany’s Dennis Schroder provided a vital spark off the bench. The 32-year-old point guard finished with 11 points on efficient 4-of-5 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, while adding two blocks, two assists, and one rebound in 22 minutes.
Schroder’s showing was also marked by a hard shot to the throat from Daniss Jenkins, early in the fourth quarter, but he remained on the floor to help anchor the backcourt during a decisive late run.
Fellow European options for the Cavs, Dutch forward Tristan Enaruna and French center Olivier Sarr, remained out of the lineup.
The team coached by Kenny Atkinson eventually avoided a 3–0 hole behind Donovan Mitchell’s 35 points, after answering a late Pistons surge.
The series remains in Cleveland for Game 4 on Monday.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 2-1 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 3-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 2-0 (108-90, 125-107)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-1 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions