The Cavaliers went up to Detroit for game seven with their season on the line. A game seven blowout sends the Cavaliers to their first Eastern Conference Finals since LeBron took down the Celtics in 2018. Let's dive into the dominant game seven played by the Cavaliers!
Cleveland Cavaliers DEF Detroit Pistons 125-94 (CLE Wins Series 4-3)
The Cavaliers and Pistons know what it takes to win game seven as they both had to win game seven in the opening round. You must start fast, protect the ball to maximize your possessions, and simply play as a team for a full four quarters. One team achieved those at such a high level which was displayed from the opening tip off to the final horn. That dominance led to a thirty-one point Cavaliers victory. There were only fifty-four seconds during game seven that the Cavs did not hold a lead. The Pistons lead 3-2 with 11:14 left in the first quarter. The Cavs took the lead back two possessions later and never saw another deficit. The Cavaliers led for the next forty-six minutes, growing a lead as large as thirty-five.
The Cavaliers had three starters score in the twenties. Donovan Mitchell scored twenty-six points, Evan Mobley with twenty-one, and Jarrett Allen added twenty-three of his own. Playing as a team doesn't just include having your starters playing well, you need your bench to play well too, Sam Merrill was the bench player that stepped up for the Cavaliers last night. He scored twenty-three points off the bench, making five three pointers all in the first half. They all seemed to come at a time when the Cavs were sputtering and at risk of surrendering their lead. Merrill would bury a three to steal the momentum back from the Pistons and continue the dominance.
James Harden has been the focus of the last few games as he has been playing at prime Harden levels. That was not to be last night. He only scored nine points. The difference from game six to game seven for Harden was the turnovers. After leading game six in turnovers, Harden flipped that script in game seven. He turned the ball over just one time last night and assisted on six Cavs baskets. While he wasn't scoring at will like he was in the last few games, he was still a key part in the success of the Cavaliers in game seven.
Cade Cunningham has been the opposition to Harden in this series. They have been battling each other in scoring, rebounds and assists. Last night Cunningham was held in check putting forth his worst performance during the playoffs. He scored just thirteen points on thirty-one percent shooting. He didn't make a single three of the seven he shot. Of all the games to have an off night, Cade picked the worst of the seven.
The Cavaliers now travel to New York to take on the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. From the beginning of the playoffs, I predicted the Cavaliers to make the ECF against the Celtics. While they don't play the Celtics my prediction will not change. I will take the Cavaliers to defeat the Knicks and advance to the NBA Finals.
Western Conference Finals
The Spurs head to Oklahoma City to tangle with the defending champion Thunder. had originally predicted the Timberwolves to advance to the WCF and lose to the Thunder 4-1. I do still think the Thunder wins this series, but think it goes longer than five games with the opponent being the Spurs, The Spurs have been playing complete basketball during their playoff run. More complete than the Timberwolves as they were able to take them out in six games, I think they can compete with the Thunder and give them a bit more trouble. I will still take the Thunder to win the series and advance to the NBA Finals, but it will be in six games. Game one is tonight at 8:30pm on NBC.
Prediction:
Thunder: 99
Spurs: 87
As always Who Dey & Go Redlegs!
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