Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points and Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill had 23 apiece as the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the top-seeded Detroit Pistons 125-94 in Game 7, the report says, advancing to the Eastern Conference finals.
Evan Mobley added 21 points and 12 rebounds as Cleveland reached the conference finals for the first time since 2018 and the ninth time in franchise history, the report says. The run matches the Cavs’ deepest postseason trip since LeBron James’ final season with the franchise and marks Mitchell’s first appearance in a conference final in nine postseasons, per the report.
Detroit received 17 points from Daniss Jenkins, while Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson each finished with 13, the report says. The Pistons had forced the decisive Game 7 by winning Game 6 on Friday, but fell one victory short of their first conference finals berth since 2008.
Cleveland set the tone early and never relinquished control, the report says. The Cavs led 31-22 after the first quarter, built a 24-9 run after Detroit opened the second with two baskets, and took a 64-47 lead into halftime. Mitchell then poured in 15 points in the third quarter as the Cavs extended their advantage.
The Cavs outscored the Pistons in the paint 58-34 and shot 50.6% from the field compared with Detroit’s 35.3%, per the report. Cleveland led by as many as 35 points, and the Pistons’ closest margin in the second half was within 17 in the third quarter. The 31-point road victory in a Game 7 was the third-largest such margin all time, according to ESPN Research.
Per the report, Cleveland will face the third-seeded New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday in New York.
