NBA Playoffs: When is Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 3?

A look at when Game 3 between the Cavaliers and Pistons is in the 2016 NBA Playoffs

Though it’s a matchup between the No. 1 and the No. 8 seeds in the Eastern Conference, the first round matchup in the 2016 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons has been must-watch through the first two games. Andre Drummond and Stan Van Gundy’s Pistons have shown no fear in the face of LeBron James and the Cavs.

Detroit fought hard in Game 1 of the series, but some smart adjustments by Cleveland involving putting Kevin Love at center—one of those moves that coaches hold in the chamber until the NBA Playoffs—really proved to be the difference, in addition to LeBron being able to work as a playmaker and facilitator rather than primarily as a scorer. That gave the Cavs Game 1.

That certainly didn’t leave the Pistons deflated, though, as they again came out throwing punches on the road in Game 2. They jumped out to a big early lead on Cleveland in the second game, but Cleveland again made adjustments. James was able to get into the lane at will and both score and assist however he pleased while J.R. Smith and Kyrie Irving both got hot from beyond the arc and helped lead the way towards almost tying an NBA record for threes made in a playoff game.

Now the two teams are both looking ahead to Game 3 where the Pistons are hoping that the shift to The Palace at Auburn Hills will help them hold on to an early lead if they can jump out to one or if it will continue to be the same story that it’s been at The Q for the first two games in this series.

For those curious as to when Game 3 will go down in the Motor City, the game will tip off on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET with the broadcast being on ESPN.

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