The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers have been going back and forth all series, and it all comes down to one night at Little Caesars Arena. Someone is heading to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Cavaliers dropped Game 6 by 21 points on their home floor, and now they have to go to Detroit and win a road Game 7 to stay alive.
Here are three predictions for tonight, and why this ends with Detroit moving on.
Cade Cunningham Goes for 35 or More Points in Game 7
GettyPistons Predicted to Crush Cavaliersâ Finals Dreams in Game 7
Cadeââââââââââââââââ Cunningham has been the driving force behind everything Detroit has done. In the Game 5, although the Pistons lost, he still managed to score 39 points, grab seven rebounds, and dish out nine assists. And even when the Game 6 was relatively quiet, he still managed to lead the Pistons by scoring 21 points, hitting five threes, and playing a leading role in the game with eight assists.
Cleveland has tried to stop him, particularly towards the end of the games. However, that kind of defense has its price. When the second defender is quick to understand the play and moves the ball, the Pistons get great scoring opportunities, and that is exactly what occurred in Game 6. In a Game 7 at home where everything is decided,
Cunningham will show no signs of holding back and will take it to the basket from the very first possession. Scoring 35 points or more is very ââââââââââââââââpossible.
James Harden Posts a Double-Double With 25 or More Points
GettyCade Cunningham Set to Explode in Do-or-Die Game 7 vs Cavaliers
Usually,ââââââââââââââââ when Cleveland wins the games, Harden is the primary driver behind the victory. He led the team with 30 points, eight rebounds, and six assists during the overtime Game 5 win and, despite a tough Game 6, he was still the top scorer of Cleveland with 23 points.
The issue isn’t really his offensive play but rather his decision-making when the pressure is on. For instance, when Detroit traps him in the backcourt, he loses the ball repeatedly and those turnovers lead to easy Pistons’ baskets before Cleveland even manages to set its defense. He will surely tally up his stats today as well. Expecting a 25-point double-double from him is reasonable. However, turnovers will accompany him as ââââââââââââââââwell.
Jalen Duren Grabs 12 or More Rebounds
Duren has had an inconsistent postseason, but Game 6 looked like a turning point. After a poor Game 5, he came back and finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. That interior presence changed the game.
Cleveland’s frontcourt, led byJarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, is one of their biggest advantages in this series. The only way Detroit neutralizes that is if Duren controls the glass. Back home, with the crowd behind him and the confidence from Game 6 still fresh, a 12-rebound night feels like the floor for what he can do.
Pistons Win 113-105 and Head to the Eastern Conference Finals
GettyDetroit Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 7 Predictions: Why Cade Cunningham Sends Cleveland Home
Detroit wins this one, and it is not just about momentum. The Pistons finished with the best record in the East for a reason. Their defense forces turnovers, their depth held up all series, and Cunningham has shown he can take over when it matters most.
Cleveland has the offensive firepower to make this close, and they will. But the Cavaliers have needed too many things to go right at once throughout this series, and on the road in a Game 7, that is a hard ask.
Final score: Detroit 113, Cleveland 105.
The Pistons are heading to face the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
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