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may 18 2026DETROIT. The Cleveland Cavaliers delivered a dominant performance to defeat the Detroit Pistons 125-94 in a decisive Game 7, advancing to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Donovan Mitchell led the Ohio squad with 26 points in a game where Cleveland controlled the matchup from the opening tip.
The Cavaliers eliminated the No. 1 seed in the East and reached the Conference Finals for the first time since 2018, marking the franchise's best performance since LeBron James' final season in Cleveland.
The team coached by Kenny Atkinson will now face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Finals, which tip off Tuesday in New York.
After squandering the chance to close out the series in Game 6, the Cleveland Cavaliers came out this time with completely different aggression. The visiting squad dominated the physical and defensive rhythm of the game from the opening minute and never allowed Detroit to find offensive continuity.
Donovan Mitchell quickly assumed the scoring lead, though Cleveland's greatest strength was the tremendous contribution from several role players. Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill both finished with 23 points, while Evan Mobley added 21 points and 12 rebounds in another solid performance near the rim.
The Detroit Pistons, meanwhile, never found offensive rhythm. Cade Cunningham finished limited to just 13 points, far below his playoff average, while Duncan Robinson also closed with 13. Daniss Jenkins was the Pistons' leading scorer with 17 points, though it proved insufficient to keep the team competitive.
Cleveland began breaking the game open from the first quarter. The Cavaliers continuously punished Detroit's poor early shooting and found plenty of points in transition off defensive rebounds and turnovers.
Kenny Atkinson's squad closed the first period with a commanding 31-22 lead and increased the margin even further during the second quarter. After two early Detroit baskets, Cleveland responded immediately with a powerful 24-9 run that left the Pistons reeling.
The Cleveland Cavaliers' defense was one of the game's key factors. Detroit shot just 35.3% from the field and constantly struggled against the visiting team's physical intensity. Additionally, the Cavaliers dominated the paint with a commanding 58-34 advantage in points in the paint.
At halftime, Cleveland led comfortably 64-47 and gave the impression of having complete control of the game.
Any hope of a local comeback disappeared definitively after the break. Donovan Mitchell exploded offensively in the third quarter, scoring 15 points during that period to completely break the game open.
The Cavaliers led by as much as 35 points and never allowed Detroit to get closer than 17 during the entire second half. Sam Merrill was also decisive from beyond the arc, constantly punishing the Pistons' defensive rotations.
The Detroit Pistons conclude a season of significant competitive growth, though they fall just one victory short of reaching their first Conference Finals since 2008. The Michigan squad had forced a Game 7 after a brilliant Game 6 victory, but never truly competed in this decisive matchup.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers continue their playoff momentum and now face a demanding Eastern Finals against the New York Knicks, with confidence bolstered after eliminating the best regular season team in the Eastern Conference.
