Do the Cavs Have to Win Game 5 to Win the Series?
Do the Cavs Have to Win Game 5 to Win the Series?  
Podcast: The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima
Published On: Tue May 12 2026
Description: Ken and Lima break down what needs to happen for the Cavs to win on the road in Game 5, with Ken arguing that the officiating excuse has to stop and the team simply needs to match Detroit's physicality from the opening tip. Ken and Lima both acknowledge that the homer whistle has been real throughout this series, but point out that as the playoffs narrow down to fewer series, the better officials take over and let the teams play, which could actually benefit the more physical Cavs team they saw in Game 4. JB Bickerstaff went public with his officiating complaints after the loss, and while Ken and Lima think he has a point, they are tired of the conversation and want to see the Cavs just go out and impose their will on the road. The bottom line is simple: whoever wins Game 5 in Detroit almost certainly wins the series.