Detroit forces Game 7 with win in Cleveland

The Detroit Pistons kept their season alive on May 15 with a 115-94 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Detroit tied the best-of-seven series at 3-3 and sent it back to Little Caesars Arena for Game 7 on Sunday. The Pistons led 54-51 at halftime, then broke the game open by outscoring Cleveland 30-19 in the third quarter. NBA.com listed the final as Detroit 115, Cleveland 94 and said the series is tied 3-3. ### How did Detroit flip a close game into a 21-point win? Detroit shot 52.4% from the field and 44.4% from 3-point range, making 16 of 36 attempts. Cleveland shot 39.0% overall and committed 20 turnovers, compared with 17 for Detroit. Those numbers widened after halftime, when the Cavaliers managed 19 third-quarter points and never recovered. (nba.com) The Pistons also got balanced scoring. Cade Cunningham had 21 points and eight assists, Jalen Duren added 15 points and 11 rebounds, Daniss Jenkins scored 15, Duncan Robinson had 14 off the bench and Paul Reed scored 17 in 16 minutes. Detroit finished with 43 rebounds and 25 assists. ### Which Cleveland numbers stood out most? (nba.com) James Harden scored 23 points for Cleveland but also had eight turnovers in 37 minutes. Donovan Mitchell finished with 18 points on 6-for-20 shooting, and Evan Mobley also scored 18 points while missing four of his eight free throws. Cleveland’s starters combined for 81 points, but the group shot unevenly and the team’s offense stalled after halftime. (nba.com) Rocket Arena hosted the game in front of an announced crowd of 19,432, according to the box score. Cleveland had a chance to close out the series at home after winning three straight games from May 9 through May 13, including a 117-113 overtime win in Game 5. Instead, the Cavaliers dropped their first home game of the series since Game 1. (nba.com) ### What does the series path look like now? NBA.com’s playoff schedule shows Detroit opened the series with wins in Games 1 and 2, both at home, before Cleveland answered with victories in Games 3, 4 and 5. Detroit’s Game 6 win evened the matchup again and set up the only Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Basketball-Reference lists Cade Cunningham as the 2026 playoff leader in total points and assists entering Saturday, underscoring how central he has been to Detroit’s postseason run. (basketball.realgm.com) Detroit finished the regular season 60-22, while Cleveland went 52-30, according to the team records attached to the official Game 6 box score. (nba.com) ### Who is waiting for the winner? The New York Knicks are already through to the Eastern Conference finals. NBA.com’s playoff bracket shows New York swept Philadelphia 4-0 in the other East semifinal and is listed as the opponent for the Detroit-Cleveland winner. The Western Conference finals are also set. Oklahoma City will face San Antonio beginning Monday, May 18, while the East finalist opposite New York will not be decided until Sunday night. (basketball-reference.com) ### When and where is Game 7? Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, in Detroit at 8 p.m. Eastern, according to NBA.com. The league’s schedule page lists the matchup as Cleveland at Detroit, with Prime Video carrying the broadcast. (nba.com) The winner advances to face the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.