Cavaliers Crush Pistons To Reach Eastern Finals
Hope
Cleveland Cavaliers booked their place in the Eastern Conference Finals after a dominant 125-94 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 on Sunday.
Led by Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland produced one of the most convincing road Game 7 performances in recent NBA playoff history to advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2018.
Mitchell starred with 26 points, six rebounds and eight assists without committing a turnover. The seven-time All-Star also delivered a crucial momentum-changing moment late in the first quarter when he converted a long-range shot from near half-court to extend Cleveland’s lead.
The Cavaliers maintained control for most of the contest, with Detroit only briefly reducing the deficit in the second quarter after a three-pointer from Marcus Sasser.
Mitchell bounced back strongly after struggling in Game 6, where he scored 18 points on 6-of-20 shooting. His latest display, was his best all-round performance of the post-season and helped Cleveland secure its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance without LeBron James since 1992.
According to NBA playoff statistics, Mitchell became the first guard since Kobe Bryant in 2002 to record at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists without a turnover in a Game 7.
Cleveland will now face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday.
