{"id":738001,"date":"2026-05-19T00:39:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T00:39:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/738001\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T00:39:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T00:39:28","slug":"cavaliers-dominate-game-7-to-advance-to-eastern-conference-finals-as-top-seeded-pistons-fall-flat-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/738001\/","title":{"rendered":"Cavaliers dominate Game 7 to advance to Eastern Conference finals as top-seeded Pistons fall flat at home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Until Sunday, the Detroit Pistons<\/a> made a living with their backs against the wall in these playoffs as survivors of four elimination games.<\/p>\n

Their was no surviving a fifth.<\/p>\n

The Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> punched first in Sunday\u2019s Game 7, laying out the Pistons on their home court for a 4-3 series victory. Detroit never got off the mat as Cleveland cruised to a dominant 125-94 win<\/a> over a Detroit team that never mounted a challenge.<\/p>\n

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With the win, the Cavaliers advance to take on the New York Knicks<\/a> in the Eastern Conference finals. A flawed Pistons team will go into the offseason exposed as No. 1 seed that didn\u2019t advance out of the second round of the playoffs.<\/p>\n

It added up to a stunning scene at Little Caesars Arena as Pistons fans started to file out of their seats with most of the fourth quarter remaining. But there was nothing left for them to see as the Cavaliers continued to dominate virtually every aspect of the game.<\/p>\n

Cleveland will face New York in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Tuesday night (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).<\/p>\n

Play 2026 Soccer Pick ‘Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world’s biggest soccer tournament<\/a><\/p>\n

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Pistons never recover from early Cavaliers onslaught<\/p>\n

Donovan Mitchell<\/a> opened the game with an alley-oop to Evan Mobley<\/a> that set the tone. Detroit\u2019s lauded defense that finished the regular season ranked second in defensive rating was a sieve against a Cavaliers offense that thrived in the paint to establish an inside-out attack for which Detroit had no answer.<\/p>\n

As Mobley and Jarrett Allen<\/a> feasted inside, Sam Merrill<\/a> took over from deep with a 4-from-6 start from 3 in the first half. It added up to a 55-35 Cavaliers lead in the second quarter that established an ominous tone for the Pistons.<\/p>\n

Per the Prime broadcast, the Cavaliers were 26-0 in games this season in which they held a 20-point lead. They easily cruised to 27-0.<\/p>\n

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Donovan Mitchell slams the door shut<\/p>\n

Detroit\u2019s last realistic chance at making it a game was the start of the third quarter after it cut Cleveland\u2019s lead to 17 points before halftime. But Mitchell scored the first four points of the third and sparked an 11-0 Cavaliers run late in the quarter as he took over on offense.<\/p>\n

Mitchell scored 15 of his game-high 26 points in the third quarter, and Cleveland\u2019s lead ballooned to 99-73, squashing any long-shot hope in Detroit of a miracle rally.<\/p>\n

Cavs dominate box score<\/p>\n

When the final horn sounded, four Cavaliers players had scored 20-plus points.<\/p>\n

Mitchell added 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal and 0 turnovers. Allen tallied 23 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block. Mobley posted 21 points, 12 rebounds, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals in another stat-stuffing effort.<\/p>\n

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And Merrill added 23 points off the bench while shooting 5 of 8 from 3.<\/p>\n

James Harden<\/a> was a non-factor as a scorer, tallying 9 points and 6 assists while shooting 2 of 10 from the field and 0 of 6 from 3. But he limited the turnovers that have become a plague of his postseason to one as Cleveland took care of the ball on an efficient night on offense.<\/p>\n

The Cavaliers assisted on 31 of their 43 made field goals while limiting their turnovers to 11. They shot 50.6% from the field while securing a 50-41 edge in rebounds and forcing 14 Pistons turnovers.<\/p>\n

The final margin would have been more lopsided if not for Cleveland\u2019s struggles (28 of 44, 63.6%) at the free-throw line.<\/p>\n

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Detroit doesn\u2019t have a No. 2 option<\/p>\n

For the Pistons, nobody scored more than 17 points as Detroit continued to fail to find a second reliable offensive option outside of Cade Cunningham<\/a>. And even Cunningham had little to offer Sunday night.<\/p>\n

Cunningham scored 12 first-half points to keep Detroit\u2019s offense afloat as Tobias Harris<\/a> went cold. But he didn\u2019t score again until a technical free throw with 5:51 remaining in the game. That cut Cleveland\u2019s lead to 114-81.<\/p>\n

He went to the bench from there, the game long decided and his season done. Cunningham finished with 13 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 turnovers. He shot 5 of 16 from the field and missed all seven of his 3-point attempts.<\/p>\n

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Harris had emerged as Detroit\u2019s No. 2 option in these playoffs with eight games of 20-plus points. But he posted a second straight dud in an elimination game Sunday night, going 0 for 6 from the floor with 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal on the heels of a six-point Game 6.<\/p>\n

Jalen Duren<\/a>, projected for his first All-NBA selection after a breakout regular season, was a non-factor on offense while failing to mount a challenge to Allen and Mobley on defense. He finished with 7 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 turnovers.<\/p>\n

Daniss Jenkins<\/a> led the Pistons with 17 points on 4-of-12 shooting, while Duncan Robinson<\/a> was Detroit\u2019s most efficient scoring option with 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field.<\/p>\n

The Pistons arrived to the No. 1 seed ahead of schedule, just two seasons removed from a league-worst 14-68 record. But it\u2019s clear from these playoffs that they\u2019ll need to make some significant roster changes in order to compete for an NBA championship.<\/p>\n

Live coverage is over27 updatesSun, May 17, 2026 at 7:48 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Ryan Young<\/p>\n

With their win, the Cavaliers are now officially headed to the Eastern Conference finals. The New York Knicks are waiting.<\/p>\n

ECF Game 1<\/p>\n

Knicks vs. Cavaliers
When: Tuesday, May 19 | 8 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden
TV: ESPN<\/p>\n

Mon, May 18, 2026 at 4:10 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports Staff<\/p>\n

\"RyanSun, May 17, 2026 at 7:52 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Ryan Young<\/p>\n

Daniss Jenkins
17 points, 5 assists, 4-12 FG<\/p>\n

Cade Cunningham
13 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds<\/p>\n

Duncan Robinson
13 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist<\/p>\n

Team Stats
35% FG, 31% 3FG, 41 rebounds, 14 turnovers<\/p>\n

\"RyanSun, May 17, 2026 at 7:51 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Ryan Young<\/p>\n

Donovan Mitchell
26 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds<\/p>\n

Jarrett Allen
23 points, 7 rebounds<\/p>\n

Evan Mobley
21 points, 12 rebounds<\/p>\n

Team Stats
51% FG, 32% 3FG, 50 rebounds, 11 turnovers<\/p>\n

\"RyanSun, May 17, 2026 at 7:48 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Ryan Young<\/p>\n

The Cavaliers are now headed to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2018.<\/p>\n

\"RyanSun, May 17, 2026 at 7:35 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Ryan Young<\/p>\n

Things got a bit heated just now between Strus and Thompson, and assistants came rushing out to settle things down. Nothing really came of it \u2014 Strus did receive a technical, and Thompson received a personal foul \u2014 but it\u2019s easy to understand late in a blowout of a Game 7.<\/p>\n

\"RyanSun, May 17, 2026 at 7:20 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Ryan Young<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a 9-2 run for the Cavaliers to open the fourth quarter, and their lead is now 33. We\u2019re just about done here.<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 7:10 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

The Cavaliers mounted an 11-0 run late in the third quarter as Donovan Mitchell took his turn leading the Cleveland offense.<\/p>\n

Mitchell scored 15 of his 26 points in the third quarter and is now the game\u2019s leading scorer.<\/p>\n

Cleveland has a 99-73 lead through three, and these Pistons don\u2019t look poised to mount a fourth-quarter miracle with their season at stake.<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 7:06 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

Jarrett Allen is feasing on a non-existent Pistons defense and leads all scorers with 23 points late in the third quarter.<\/p>\n

Cleveland\u2019s lead is up to 93-69 with 2:22 remaining in the quarter, and this looks like all but a formality from here.<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 6:55 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

Detroit\u2019s lack of offense outside of Cade Cunningham is coming up big tonight.<\/p>\n

Cunningham hasn\u2019t scored in the second half and remains Detroit\u2019s only player in double figures with 12 points midway through the third quarter. Cleveland\u2019s countered with four players in double figures and leads, 76-56 with 6:40 remaining in the third.<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 6:42 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

Donovan Mitchell scored four straight points to open the second half, and the Cavaliers extended their lead to 68-47, their largest of the night.<\/p>\n

Detroit needs to find an answer, and fast.<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 6:35 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

Cavaliers
Jarrett Allen: 15 points, 3 rebounds 1 steal, 1 block
Evan Mobley: 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Donovan Mitchell: 11 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds
Sam Merrill: 15 points, 4 of 6 from 3
James Harden: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover<\/p>\n

Pistons
Cade Cunningham: 12 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
Tobias Harris: 3 points, 0 of 5 from field, 0 of 2 from 3
Jalen Duren: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block
Ausar Thompson: 3 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks<\/p>\n

Team stats
Cavaliers: 52.4% from field, 42.1% (8 of 19) from 3
Pistons: 38.1% from field, 35.3% (6 of 17) from 3<\/p>\n

Cavaliers turnovers: 4
Pistons turnovers: 5<\/p>\n

Cavaliers: 18 assists on 22 made field goals
Pistons: 10 assists on 16 made field goals<\/p>\n

Cavaliers free throws: 12 of 20
Pistons free throws: 9 of 11<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 6:23 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

The first half was all Cavs, and the Pistons need a dramatic turnaround to challenge in this Game 7.<\/p>\n

The Cavaliers are hot from deep and stifling Detroit\u2019s offense on the other side of the court. They led by as many as 20 and will take a 64-47 lead into halftime.<\/p>\n

Can Detroit mount a rally, or is Cleveland destined for a date with the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals?<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 6:20 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

Tobias Harris has been a key to Detroit\u2019s offense throughout the playoffs. With less than two minutes before halftime, Harris is 0 for 5 from the field with 3 points.<\/p>\n

Cleveland\u2019s lead is 62-42 with 1:03 remaining before halftime.<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 6:11 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

Detroit fans are still waiting for the Pistons to punch back.<\/p>\n

Sam Merrill just got fouled on a made 3 and hit the free throw for a four-point play to extend Cleveland\u2019s lead to 51-33 late in the second quarter.<\/p>\n

Cleveland\u2019s moving the ball and shooting 8 of 19 from 3. Detroit\u2019s bogged down and struggling to find open looks against the best Cleveland defense of the series.<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 5:57 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

Cleveland\u2019s the better team on both sides of the court tonight and has a 41-26 lead after a 10-0 run midway through the second quarter.<\/p>\n

Cleveland\u2019s shooting 52% from the field, 7 of 16 from 3 and has almost doubled Detroit up in free-throw attempts (9 to 5). Detroit is finding tough looks at the basket against Jarret Allen\u2019s rim protection and is shooting just 30% from the field early.<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 5:45 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

The Cavaliers have come out firing and are 6 of 13 from 3 after one quarter.<\/p>\n

Mitchell capped the stanza with a heave from the logo to extend Cleveland\u2019s lead to 31-22. Detroit, meanwhile, is 3 of 8 from deep.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a good early sign for the Cavs. The team that\u2019s hit the most 3s has won five of the previous six games in this series.<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 5:38 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

Ausar Thompson\u2019s one of the most physical players on the court.<\/p>\n

Sam Merrill found out the hard way, but accomplished his mission by drawing a physical charge on Detroit\u2019s defensive leader. Merrill was slow to get up after this it, but was able to remain in the game.<\/p>\n

Cleveland leads, 22-19 late in the first quarter.<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 5:30 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

Cleveland fans are out in force in Detroit tonight.<\/p>\n

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert got charter busses and tickets for 25 bus loads of fans<\/a> to attend Game 7 in Detroit. They\u2019re scattered throughout Little Ceasars Arena sporting t-shirts reading \u201cBeat Detroit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"JasonSun, May 17, 2026 at 5:24 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

Donovan Mitchell found Evan Mobley for an alley-oop to get Game 7 scoring started. The Pistons have weathered early-game shooting struggles to keep things close thanks to a pair of 3s from Daniss Jenkins.<\/p>\n

The Cavaliers lead, 8-7 at the the first break in action.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Until Sunday, the Detroit Pistons made a living with their backs against the wall in these playoffs as…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":738002,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3772],"tags":[7,909,306,305,193,3846,6101,188,864,4958,2955,576,912,560,1178,6,191,1166,933],"class_list":["post-738001","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cleveland-cavaliers","tag-basketball","tag-cade-cunningham","tag-cavaliers","tag-cleveland","tag-cleveland-cavaliers","tag-clevelandcavaliers","tag-daniss-jenkins","tag-detroit-pistons","tag-donovan-mitchell","tag-duncan-robinson","tag-eastern-conference-finals","tag-evan-mobley","tag-jalen-duren","tag-james-harden","tag-jarrett-allen","tag-nba","tag-new-york-knicks","tag-sam-merrill","tag-tobias-harris"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/116598457628923968","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/738001","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=738001"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/738001\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/738002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=738001"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=738001"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=738001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}