Cavaliers blow out Pistons 125-94 in Game 7, advance to Eastern Conference finals for first time since 2018 [VIDEO]
Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points as Cleveland dominated Detroit on its home floor to win the series 4-3
In a commanding wire-to-wire performance, Cleveland turned a hostile Game 7 environment into a rout, leading by as many as 35 points and never allowing the Pistons a realistic chance to mount a comeback.
Cleveland, seeded fourth in the East, won the best-of-seven series 4-3 by dominating the top-seeded Pistons on their home floor. The Cavaliers never trailed after the opening minutes and led by as many as 35 points. Donovan Mitchell scored 15 of his 26 points in the third quarter to bury any chance of a Detroit comeback.
After Detroit dominated the Cavaliers on their home floor in Game 6, it looked like they’d have a second consecutive comfortable Game 7 home victory.
Cleveland Dominated From the Opening Tip
The Cavaliers controlled the game from the outset. As a result, they built a 31-22 lead after the first quarter. They never let the Pistons breathe. After Detroit scored the first two baskets of the second quarter, Cleveland responded with a 24-9 run that turned a competitive game into a blowout. The Cavaliers led 64-47 at halftime and never looked back.
Quarter-by-quarter scoring told the story of Cleveland’s dominance: 31-22 in the first, 33-25 in the second, 35-26 in the third, and 26-21 in the fourth. The Pistons never scored more than 26 points in any quarter. Cleveland’s largest lead reached 35 points. The game was effectively over by the middle of the third quarter, when Mitchell caught fire and put the finishing touches on Detroit’s season.
The Cavaliers shot 50.6 percent from the field while holding the Pistons to just 35.3 percent. Cleveland outscored Detroit 58-34 in the paint, controlled the glass 50-41, and recorded 31 assists on 43 made field goals. The Pistons, who built their regular-season success on defense, had no answers for Cleveland’s interior attack or transition game.
Mitchell, Allen, Mobley, and Merrill Powered the Offense
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 26 points on 10-of-22 shooting, adding 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 0 turnovers in just over 31 minutes. He was particularly effective in the third quarter, scoring 15 of his points to snuff out any hope of a Detroit rally. His ability to get to his spots and create for others kept the Cavaliers’ offense humming all night.
Jarrett Allen was dominant inside. As a result, he finished the game with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting and 7 rebounds in under 25 minutes. Evan Mobley recorded a double-double with 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in nearly 36 minutes. The Cavaliers’ frontcourt duo of Allen and Mobley combined for 44 points and 19 rebounds, completely outplaying Detroit’s bigs.
Sam Merrill provided a spark off the bench with 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-8 from three-point range, in just over 25 minutes. James Harden contributed 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in a supporting role, while Max Strus added 9 points and 3 steals. Cleveland’s bench outscored Detroit’s reserves 37-47, but the Cavaliers’ starting unit did the heavy lifting early.
Detroit’s Stars Struggled When It Mattered Most
Cade Cunningham, the Pistons’ franchise cornerstone, was held to just 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting, including 0-of-7 from three-point range, in nearly 37 minutes. He added 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, but his scoring was well below his series average. Jalen Duren, another key piece of Detroit’s young core, finished with just 7 points and 9 rebounds in under 26 minutes.
Daniss Jenkins led the Pistons with 17 points, but he shot just 4-of-12 from the field. Duncan Robinson added 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting. Caris LeVert contributed 11 points off the bench. Tobias Harris went scoreless from the field, finishing with 5 points on 0-of-6 shooting. Ausar Thompson added 5 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
The Pistons’ two All-Stars — Cunningham and Duren — combined for just 20 points on 8-of-23 shooting. In a Game 7 on their home floor, that was never going to be enough. Detroit’s defense, which had been its identity during the regular season, could not replicate its intensity or effectiveness against a determined Cleveland offense.
Cleveland’s Sixth Straight Game 7 Victory
The Cavaliers have now won six consecutive Game 7s, a streak that dates back several seasons. This victory marked Cleveland’s first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2018, when LeBron James led the team to the NBA Finals. The Cavaliers have rebuilt around Mitchell, Mobley, Allen, and a veteran presence in Harden, and that construction paid off in the biggest moment of their season.
For the Pistons, the loss was historic in the wrong way. It was the most lopsided home playoff loss in franchise history for a Game 7. The previous worst was a 7-point defeat. Detroit had won 60 games during the regular season, a remarkable turnaround from the 14-win team of two years ago, but that success did not translate to the conference finals.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasized his team’s growth and resilience after the game, refusing to label the season a disappointment. He focused on lessons learned for a young core that includes Cunningham (24), Thompson (23), and Duren (22). But on Sunday night, the lessons were painful.
Social Media Reacted to Cleveland’s Dominant Closeout
The X post announcing the final score generated significant engagement, with users focusing on Cleveland’s balanced attack and Detroit’s inability to compete on its home floor. One user wrote: “Cavs had four guys with 20+ points in a Game 7 on the road. That’s not a fluke. That’s a team.” Another posted: “Detroit won 60 games and got blown out at home in Game 7. That’s a tough way to end a great season.”
Pistons fans expressed frustration with Cunningham and Duren’s performances. “Your two best players combine for 20 points in a Game 7. At home. You’re not winning anything like that,” one user wrote. Another commented: “Jenkins led the team in scoring. Let that sink in.” Some users noted the free-throw disparity — Cleveland attempted 44 free throws to Detroit’s 29 — as a factor in the outcome.
Others looked ahead to the Knicks series, which begins tonight. “Mitchell vs. Brunson in the East Finals. That’s going to be must-see TV,” one user wrote. Another posted: “Cleveland is 6-0 in Game 7s. That’s not luck. That’s a culture.” The Cavaliers will need that culture as they face a Knicks team that swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the semifinals and has been resting since May 4.
Cavaliers Face Knicks Tonight at Madison Square Garden
The Eastern Conference finals begin tonight, May 19, at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the semifinals and have been waiting for an opponent since May 12. They will be well-rested, but rust could be a factor. The Cavaliers will be coming off an emotional Game 7 victory on the road just two days ago.
Cleveland won the season series against New York 2-1 during the regular season, but playoff basketball is different. The Knicks have home-court advantage and a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd. The Cavaliers have momentum and a roster that just proved it could win a decisive game on the road. Game 1 tips off tonight.
For the Pistons, the offseason begins with questions about how to build around Cunningham and Duren. For the Cavaliers, the question is simpler: can they beat the Knicks and reach the NBA Finals? The answer starts tonight.