Detroit Pistons force Game 7 vs Cavaliers

Detroit forced a Game 7 on Friday, May 15, with a 115-94 win over Cleveland in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, according to the NBA box score. The victory tied the series 3-3 and sent it back to Detroit for a winner-take-all game on Sunday. Jalen Duren posted 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Cade Cunningham added 21 points and eight assists as the Pistons led by as many as 24 points. Cleveland, which had won three straight games to seize control of the series, shot 39.0% from the field and committed 20 turnovers in the loss. ### How did Detroit push the series to a seventh game? Detroit shot 43-for-82 from the field, or 52.4%, and made 16 of 36 three-point attempts in Game 6, according to NBA.com. The Pistons also finished with a 43-40 rebounding edge and 25 assists on 43 made baskets. Cunningham scored 21 points with five made three-pointers, while Duren went 7-for-10 from the field and collected four offensive rebounds. (nba.com) Paul Reed scored 17 points off the bench, Duncan Robinson added 14 points, and Daniss Jenkins finished with 15. ### Which numbers told the story in Cleveland’s loss? Cleveland finished 30-for-77 from the field, or 39.0%, and hit 12 of 35 shots from three-point range, the NBA box score showed. (nba.com) The Cavaliers also turned the ball over 20 times, compared with 17 for Detroit. James Harden led Cleveland with 23 points, while Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley each scored 18. (nba.com) Mitchell shot 6-for-20 and had three assists with three turnovers, and Max Strus went 2-for-9. Detroit outscored Cleveland 30-19 in the third quarter and 31-24 in the fourth. ### How did the series get here after Detroit’s early lead? (nba.com) The series schedule shows Detroit won the first two games, beating Cleveland 111-101 on May 5 and 107-97 on May 7. Cleveland then answered with three straight wins — 116-109 on May 9, 112-103 on May 11 and 117-113 in overtime on May 13 — before Detroit extended the matchup with Friday’s win. (nba.com) Sporting News reported that Cleveland’s loss in Game 6 was its first home defeat of the playoffs. The result also denied the Cavaliers a chance to close the series on their home floor at Rocket Arena. ### What is at stake in Game 7? (sportingnews.com) Sporting News reported that the winner of Sunday’s game will advance to face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. The loser will be eliminated. The NBA postseason calendar listed by Sporting News says the Eastern Conference finals are scheduled to begin May 19, though the date can move depending on earlier series results. (sportingnews.com) ### When and where is the deciding game? Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 8 p.m. (sportingnews.com) ET at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, according to Sporting News. The game will stream on Prime Video and will not air on traditional television, the outlet reported. Detroit will enter the game after a 21-point win in Cleveland, and Cleveland will try to avoid a second straight loss after dropping Game 6 by its largest margin of the series. (nba.com) (sportingnews.com)