The Cleveland Cavaliers overpowered the Detroit Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 on the road, securing their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals since 2018 and their first without LeBron James since 1992.
Guard Donovan Mitchell paced Cleveland with 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Center Jarrett Allen followed with 23 points, while Evan Mobley added 21 and reserve Sam Merrill contributed 23 off the bench.
The Cavaliers became only the fourth team since the NBA-ABA merger to feature four 20-point scorers in a Game 7, taking control in the second quarter and never allowing Detroit to threaten again.
Detroit struggled offensively; Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren combined for just 20 points, and the Pistons failed to top 26 points in any period.
“We just knew we had to get the job done,” Allen said afterward, emphasizing the importance of every possession. He credited Mitchell’s playmaking, calling it “huge for a leader to try to get everyone else involved.”
The Cavaliers will meet the New York Knicks in the conference finals, needing four more wins to reach the NBA Finals.
Source: Hoops Wire
