The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals with a resounding 125-94 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 7, played in Detroit. Far from being a close contest, the Cavaliers delivered a dominant performance that silenced the home crowd and set a precedent for their ability to respond under pressure.
Dominance from the Start and Roster Depth
The game was decided early. Cleveland closed the first quarter with a half-court three-pointer from Donovan Mitchell and never looked back, building a 20-point lead by halftime (64-47). The key to the victory was their balanced offense. Mitchell led the way with 26 points, 8 assists, and, brilliantly, zero turnovers. However, the difference was made by collective support: Jarrett Allen (23 points) dominated the paint, Evan Mobley added a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and off the bench, Sam Merrill emerged with 23 points and 5 three-pointers. This massive production contrasted sharply with Detroit's offensive drought.
Detroit's collapse and the "Cunningham-dependence" syndrome
For the Pistons, Game 7 was a nightmare. Star player Cade Cunningham, who had carried the team throughout the series, had his worst playoff performance: just 13 points, 0-for-7 from three-point range, and a forgettable second half (1 point after halftime). The lack of a reliable second option was fatal. Tobias Harris went 0-for-6 from the field, and Detroit's offense stalled, reflected in a dismal 35% overall shooting percentage. The Cavaliers took advantage of the cold night to dominate the paint (58-34 points) and the boards (50-41), demonstrating overwhelming physical superiority.
Historical Significance and Future Outlook
This victory ends a drought for Cleveland, which hadn't reached the Conference Finals since the LeBron James era in 2018. For Donovan Mitchell, it represents his first trip to this stage after years of playoff frustrations. For Detroit, despite the Game 7 loss, the season represents significant progress after years of rebuilding, although the series highlighted the urgent need to surround Cunningham with more offensive talent.
The Cavaliers didn't just win Game 7; they did so in dominant fashion, silencing doubts about their ability to win on the road. Now they will face the New York Knicks with sky-high morale and the lesson learned that, when they play aggressively on both ends of the court, they are a legitimate title contender.
Credits: I used Google Translate.
