Detroit forces Game 7 vs Cavaliers

Detroit kept its season alive on May 15 with a 115-94 win over Cleveland in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The result tied the series 3-3 and sent it back to Little Caesars Arena for a deciding Game 7 on Sunday night. (nba.com) Cade Cunningham scored 21 points, and Jalen Duren posted 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Pistons. Cleveland had entered Friday one win from the Eastern Conference finals, but Detroit led by 21 points at the finish. ### How did Detroit push the series to a seventh game? (nba.com) Detroit shot 52.4% from the field and made 16 of 36 three-point attempts in Game 6, according to NBA.com’s box score. The Pistons also finished with 43 rebounds, 25 assists, nine steals and six blocks in a game they controlled by the fourth quarter. Cunningham gave Detroit 21 points and eight assists in 42 minutes, while Duren added a double-double in 27 minutes. Paul Reed scored 17 points off the bench, Daniss Jenkins added 15, and Duncan Robinson made four three-pointers on the way to 14 points. (nba.com) ### What went wrong for Cleveland in Game 6? Cleveland scored 94 points and shot 30.0% from three-point range, with Donovan Mitchell going 6-for-20 from the field. James Harden led the Cavaliers with 23 points, but Cleveland committed 16 turnovers and did not get enough scoring behind its starting backcourt. (nba.com) Mitchell and Evan Mobley each scored 18 points, and Jarrett Allen had 13 points and eight rebounds. Max Strus scored six points on 2-for-9 shooting, and Dennis Schröder went scoreless in 15 minutes. (nba.com) ### How did this series get back to even? The series opened with Detroit taking the first two games, 111-101 and 107-97, before Cleveland answered with three straight wins. The Cavaliers won Game 3 by seven points, Game 4 by nine, and Game 5 by four in overtime to move within one win of the conference finals. (nba.com) Friday’s 21-point Detroit win erased that edge and reset the matchup. NBA.com’s playoff page lists the series as tied 3-3 after six games. (nba.com) ### Who has the edge going into Game 7? Sunday’s game will be in Detroit. NBA.com lists Game 7 for 8 p.m. Eastern on May 17 at Little Caesars Arena, with Prime Video carrying the broadcast. Detroit has already won three times in the series, including Games 1, 2 and 6. Cleveland, however, recovered from an 0-2 deficit and won three straight before Friday’s loss. (nba.com) The official schedule does not project a favorite, but it makes clear the winner advances to face New York in the Eastern Conference finals. ### What is at stake in the decider? New York has already advanced to the East finals after sweeping Philadelphia 4-0, according to the NBA’s playoff schedule page. That leaves Detroit and Cleveland playing for the last remaining Eastern Conference finals berth. (nba.com) The next step is set for Sunday, May 17, when Cleveland visits Detroit for Game 7 at 8 p.m. Eastern. The winner will move on to face the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals, according to the NBA’s official playoff bracket and game page. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)