Cavaliers vs – With 7:20 left in the second quarter, Cleveland is up 41-26 in Game 7 at Detroit. Donovan Mitchell hit a near half-court 3 at the end of the first quarter, and the Cavaliers are benefiting from Detroit’s offense, which is at 10-for-30 through the opening stret
DETROIT — The win-or-go-home mood of a Game 7 became hard to miss early, and by the time the second quarter was deepening, the Cavaliers had the Pistons playing catch-up.
Cleveland opened a 15-point lead and is up 41-26 with 7:20 left in the second quarter.. Detroit’s offense has struggled, shooting 10-for-30 from the floor, and Cleveland is winning the rebounding battle 18-13.. If those trends don’t shift soon, the path is already narrowing toward the Eastern Conference Finals.
The first quarter set the tone. Donovan Mitchell scored a near half-court 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift Cleveland’s advantage to 31-22. The shot came from 33 feet, banking in from the Pistons logo.
Both teams arrived with plenty of history from the series, but the opening period carried its own turning points. In the first quarter, Mitchell, center Jarrett Allen, and guard Sam Merrill each had six points. Mitchell also recorded three assists.
Daniss Jenkins led Detroit with six points in the opening quarter. Merrill and Mitchell made back-to-back 3-pointers before Marcus Sasser answered with a 3 with 5.3 seconds left. Even with that late response, Mitchell’s buzzer shot kept drawing the moment.
Detroit briefly swung momentum when Caris LeVert stole the ball from Jarrett Allen and finished a fast-break layup to tie the game 13-13 with 4:33 left in the first quarter.
Off the ball, the game carried heat. During a timeout after the action, Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson and forward Max Strus ripped into official Ben Taylor, with Atkinson visibly livid.
When the second quarter started, the Cavs’ edge looked built for the long haul. Ausar Thompson again looked like he was targeting Sam Merrill with extra contact, and Merrill had the “last laugh” by hitting three 3s, while Thompson is 0-for-3 from the floor, including two misses right at the rim.
Mitchell has also been aggressive early in this one, driving through the lane and pushing the ball out for teammates. He had an assist on three of the Cavs’ first four baskets, helping lead to an alley-oop dunk by Evan Mobley, a dunk by Jarrett Allen, and a layup by Allen.
Cleveland entered Game 7 after earning its first 2026 road playoff win in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, only to squander an opportunity to close out the best-of-seven series in Game 6 at Rocket Arena, setting up Sunday’s deciding game.
The tip-off arrived at 8:14 p.m. with the No. 4-seeded Cavaliers facing the No. 1-seeded Pistons. A Cavs win would move Cleveland on to the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks.
There’s a straight-through sequence in what’s been happening on the floor: Detroit’s offensive struggles are matched with Cleveland’s rebounding edge, and when Merrill is finding 3s while Thompson is missing early looks, Cleveland’s lead keeps expanding rather than shrinking.
Before the whistle, Cleveland’s fan travel showed how high the stakes felt. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert sent more than 20 buses carrying thousands of Cavaliers fans and team members to Detroit for Game 7. The same effort went to Game 5 in Detroit and to Games 1 and 2 at Little Caesars Arena.
Prime Video will carry Game 7 nationally. The local radio broadcast can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
Injury and lineup changes also shaped the setup.. The Pistons listed guards Duncan Robinson (lower back) and Caris LeVert (right heel contusion) as questionable for Game 7.. Both played through their ailments in Game 6, and both will be available for Game 7.. Wing Kevin Huerter was also questionable with a left adductor strain and is available, putting Detroit at full strength.
For the Cavaliers, forward Larry Nance Jr. has been ruled out for Game 7 with an illness. He was initially listed as questionable and has not been in the playoff rotation when healthy.
Cleveland is making a change to its starting lineup. With the normal big four of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, Max Strus will be in the starting lineup, pushing Dean Wade to the bench.
The Pistons’ starting lineup is set with Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren, Daniss Jenkins, and Cade Cunningham.
The series has already swung repeatedly.. Game 1 ended with Pistons 111, Cavs 101, giving Detroit a 1-0 lead.. Game 2 went Pistons 107, Cavs 97, and Detroit led 2-0.. Game 3 brought a Cavs 116-109 win, narrowing it to 2-1.. Game 4 ended with Cavs 112, Pistons 103, tying the series 2-2.. Game 5 tilted Cavs 117, Pistons 113 in overtime, putting Cleveland up 3-2.. Game 6 finished with Pistons 115, Cavs 94, and the series tied 3-3.
From there, it comes down to Game 7.
The next step would be a matchup with the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.. Cleveland’s schedule listed possible dates beginning with Game 1 at Knicks/Cavs-Pistons on Tuesday. May 19. with times and networks to be determined. followed by Game 2 Thursday. May 21; Game 3 Saturday. May 23; Game 4 Monday. May 25; Game 5 Wednesday. May 27 if necessary; Game 6 Friday. May 29 if necessary; and Game 7 Sunday. May 31 if necessary.
The second-round bracket is already set: No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers with the series tied 3-3, and No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers, with the Knicks winning that series 4-0.
Detroit advanced past Orlando in the first round, winning 4-3. Boston eliminated Philadelphia 4-3, and the Knicks moved on over Atlanta 4-2. Cleveland handled Toronto 4-3.
Cleveland’s playoff history during the Donovan Mitchell era also underlined the pressure.. This is the fourth consecutive season the Cavaliers have made the playoffs.. In 2024-25. Cleveland lost 4-1 in the second round to the Indiana Pacers after sweeping Miami 4-0 in the first round.. In 2023-24, Cleveland lost 4-1 to the Boston Celtics after beating Orlando 4-3 in the first round.. In 2022-23, Cleveland lost 4-1 in the first round to the New York Knicks.
For now, the scoreboard is doing the talking in Detroit: with Cleveland up 41-26 late in the second quarter, the Cavaliers are closer to the only thing that matters next—playing on after Game 7.
Cavaliers Pistons Game 7 Donovan Mitchell Sam Merrill Jarrett Allen Evan Mobley Max Strus