Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers rout Pistons in Game 7 to reach NBA Eastern Conference final
DETROIT — Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill each added 23 and the Cavaliers beat the Pistons, 125-94, on Sunday night in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
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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.
Jarrett Allen with POWER x2!
Leading all scorers with 23… @cavs ahead in the 3Q on Prime!
Winner faces New York in the Eastern Conference Finals 👀 pic.twitter.com/hRea1tynCe
— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2026
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 when Mitchell scored 15 in the third quarter.
CROSS. STEPBACK. MONEY 🤑
Donovan Mitchell (26 PTS) and Cleveland are pouring it on in Game 7! pic.twitter.com/cwfT7P98XI
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— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2026
Detroit was outscored in the paint, 58-34, and made only 35.3 percent of its field goal attempts, compared to Cleveland’s 50.6 percent.
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.
DONOVAN MITCHELL FROM NEAR HALF COURT!
WHAT A SHOT TO BEAT THE 1Q BUZZER 🤯
CAVS LEAD 31-22 AFTER 1! pic.twitter.com/QpUSb0Eoe5
— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2026
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.
20 PTS. 6-8 FGM. 5-7 3PM.
Sam Merrill is FEELING IT! pic.twitter.com/mbsBaW0qEk
— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2026
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