The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the Eastern Conference finals with a dominant 125-94 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of their second-round series.
Detroit Pistons guard Caris LeVert drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden with Pistons center Jalen Duren, right, helping on the play during the first half in Game 7 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Detroit.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden during the first half in Game 7 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Detroit. Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren takes a shot against Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen during the first half of Game 7 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Detroit.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell goes to the basket against Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris during the first half of Game 7 in a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Detroit.
DETROIT — Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill each added 23 and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 125-94 on Sunday night in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. The fourth-seeded Cavaliers ousted the East’s top seed and will face the third-seeded New York Knicks. Game 1 of that series tips off Tuesday in New York.
Evan Mobley had 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who advanced to the conference finals for the first time since 2018 and the ninth time in team history. It’s their deepest run since LeBron James’ final season with the franchise.
Daniss Jenkins scored 17 points, and Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson each finished with 13 for the Pistons, who fell one win shy of their first conference finals appearance since 2008 after forcing the deciding game with a Game 6 victory Friday night. The Cavs dictated the pace from the opening tip and never allowed the Pistons to gain traction, then blew open a convincing Game 7 performance when Mitchell scored 15 in the third quarter.
Detroit was outscored in the paint 58-34 and made only 35.3% of its field goal attempts, compared to Cleveland’s 50.6% Cleveland capitalized on cold shooting by the Pistons in the opening quarter, turning missed shots into transition baskets while building an early advantage. The Cavs led 31-22 going to the second, and after Detroit had the first two baskets, Cleveland quickly seized control with a 24-9 run.
The Pistons’ offensive struggles only deepened and the Cavs continued to shoot efficiently as they built a commanding 64-47 lead into halftime. The Cavs kept rolling in the second half and led by as much as 35 points. The closest the Pistons were able to get in the half was within 17 in the third quarter.
Cavaliers Pistons Eastern Conference Finals New York Knicks Game 7 Donovan Mitchell Jarrett Allen Sam Merrill Cade Cunningham Duncan Robinson
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