Cleveland crushed Detroit 125-94 in Game 7 on May 17, 2026, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavs built an early cushion, blew the game open with a dominant third quarter and forced the Pistons into poor shooting and turnovers that Detroit never recovered from. Donovan Mitchell finished with 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds as Cleveland shot 50.6% and outscored Detroit 58-34 in the paint, according to the Associated Press. The Cavaliers will open the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, May 19 at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

Cleveland closed the Eastern Conference semifinals in emphatic fashion at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday. From the opening tip the Cavs controlled the game, leading 31-22 after one quarter and extending the gap through a mix of pressure defence and efficient offence. A 24-9 run early in the second quarter opened separation, and Cleveland took a 64-47 lead into halftime.

The third quarter removed any doubt. Donovan Mitchell scored 15 points in that period as the Cavs pushed the margin into the 30s in the second half. At one point Cleveland led by as much as 35 and, with 4:01 remaining and the score 118-88, the Cavs emptied their bench. Many Pistons fans left Little Caesars Arena late in the fourth and Cavs chants were audible in the building.

Cleveland’s game plan forced Detroit into poor shooting and avoidable turnovers. The Cavs shot 50.6% from the field while the Pistons managed just 35.3%.

Cleveland also dominated inside, outscoring Detroit 58-34 in the paint, per the Associated Press. The rebound margin leaned to Cleveland, 50-41, and the Cavs nudged the turnover count 15-13 in their favour.

Free throws also tilted the contest. Cleveland went to the line repeatedly, a point ClutchPoints highlighted in its game coverage.

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That sustained aggression to the rim kept the Pistons on the back foot and limited Detroit’s ability to mount a comeback after Game 6 evened the series.

The game included a physical moment with 5:51 left in the fourth when Pistons forward Ausar Thompson and Cavs forward Max Strus were assessed fouls. Strus received a technical after a post-rebound exchange and the teams traded technical free throws in that sequence. The flare-up didn't change the scoreline or shift momentum back toward Detroit.

Individual performances painted the margin. Donovan Mitchell finished with a game-high 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Jarrett Allen added 23 points and seven rebounds, and Evan Mobley posted 21 points and 12 rebounds. Sam Merrill provided a late scoring punch off the bench with 23 points, including five 3-pointers.

Detroit struggled to find consistent offence; their top scorers had off nights and the Pistons couldn't overcome Cleveland’s size and finishing in the paint, nor match the Cavs’ free-throw volume.

The box score reflected a one-sided contest. Cleveland’s edge in shooting percentage and paint scoring translated into a blowout final margin. The turnover differential was narrow, but the Cavs’ ability to convert trips to the line and control the glass proved decisive.

This win marks a milestone for the franchise. It's Cleveland’s first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2018 and the first appearance since 1992 without LeBron James on the roster. That fact reframes the result beyond a single series; this Cavs team has taken a step that alters expectations for the club’s immediate future.

At Little Caesars Arena, the series finished 4-3 in Cleveland’s favour. The Cavs won the deciding Game 7, and did so with a balance of veteran scoring and role players stepping up from the bench. Detroit’s path to the next level will require answers on both ends.

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Cleveland’s reward is a date at Madison Square Garden. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

This article was created with AI assistance.