Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons
Tip-off 7:30 PM ET (12:30 AM UTC) at Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI.
Game information
- Date
- Friday, December 18, 2026
- Tip-off
- 7:30 PM ET · 12:30 AM UTC
- Status
- Scheduled
- Arena
- Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
- TV broadcast
- NBA League Pass
- Radio
- SiriusXM
- Competition
- Week 9
- Official game ID
- 0022600389 (20261218/CLEDET)
- Records
- CLE 5-5 · DET 6-2
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers (5-5) visit the Detroit Pistons (6-2) at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Friday, December 18, 2026, tipping off at 7:30 PM ET. It's a Week 9 game of the 2026-27 NBA regular season.
This is a Central Division matchup, so bragging rights and early standings position are on the line between two teams that know each other well. Detroit Pistons have 3 titles and Cleveland Cavaliers have 1.
The game is carried on NBA League Pass, with radio coverage on SiriusXM. Fans outside the local markets can stream it through NBA League Pass, subject to blackout rules — see our guide to watching the NBA legally.
Keys to the game
- Home court: Detroit Pistons host at Little Caesars Arena, where crowd energy and familiarity with the rims and floor can swing close games.
- CLE on the road: Cleveland Cavaliers's first test away from home in Week 9.
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass.
- Early-season stakes: records reset to 5-5 and 6-2, so every result matters for seeding.
Players to watch
Cleveland Cavaliers
Team comparison
| CLE | DET | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 5-5 | 6-2 |
| Conference | Eastern | Eastern |
| Division | Central | Central |
| Arena | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse | Little Caesars Arena |
| Championships | 1 | 3 |
| Founded | 1970 | 1948 |
How to watch
National TV
No national TV for this game
National streaming
See NBA League Pass
DET local TV
- TV20 Detroit/DAZN-DET
CLE local TV
- WOIO/RESN/DAZN-CLE
National broadcasters
Official networks carrying NBA games this season — click through to watch on the broadcaster's own site or app.
ABC / ESPN
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