Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Detroit Pistons (60-22, first in the Eastern Conference)
Detroit; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDT
LINE: Pistons -3; over/under is 213.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Pistons host first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Detroit Pistons host the Cleveland Cavaliers to begin the Eastern Conference second round. Detroit and Cleveland tied the regular season series 2-2. The Cavaliers won the last regular season matchup 113-109 on Wednesday, March 4 led by 22 points from Jaylon Tyson, while Jalen Duren scored 24 points for the Pistons.
The Pistons are 12-4 against opponents in the Central Division. Detroit is the top team in the Eastern Conference with 57.9 points in the paint led by Duren averaging 14.6.
The Cavaliers are 11-5 against Central Division teams. Cleveland is sixth in the Eastern Conference with 32.7 defensive rebounds per game led by Evan Mobley averaging 6.6.
The Pistons make 48.5% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.1 percentage points higher than the Cavaliers have allowed to their opponents (46.4%). The Cavaliers score 9.9 more points per game (119.5) than the Pistons allow (109.6).
TOP PERFORMERS: Cade Cunningham is averaging 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 9.9 assists for the Pistons. Tobias Harris is averaging 19.3 points over the last 10 games.
Donovan Mitchell is averaging 27.9 points, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals for the Cavaliers. James Harden is averaging 18.5 points, 5.2 assists and 1.7 steals over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pistons: 7-3, averaging 110.5 points, 47.2 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 8.7 steals and 9.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 101.6 points per game.
Cavaliers: 6-4, averaging 113.7 points, 45.3 rebounds, 22.8 assists, 8.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.8 points.
INJURIES: Pistons: Kevin Huerter: day to day (adductor).
Cavaliers: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18, first in the Western Conference)
Oklahoma City; Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Thunder -16; over/under is 213.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Thunder host first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Los Angeles Lakers to open the Western Conference second round. Oklahoma City went 4-0 against Los Angeles during the regular season. The Thunder won the last regular season matchup 123-87 on Wednesday, April 8 led by 25 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while Rui Hachimura scored 15 points for the Lakers.
The Thunder are 41-11 against Western Conference opponents. Oklahoma City averages 119.0 points and has outscored opponents by 11.1 points per game.
The Lakers are 33-19 in conference play. Los Angeles ranks sixth in the Western Conference scoring 52.0 points per game in the paint led by LeBron James averaging 11.1.
The Thunder score 119.0 points per game, 4.4 more points than the 114.6 the Lakers allow. The Lakers score 8.4 more points per game (116.3) than the Thunder give up (107.9).
TOP PERFORMERS: Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.1 points and 6.6 assists for the Thunder. Chet Holmgren is averaging 14.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks over the past 10 games.
Austin Reaves is averaging 23.3 points and 5.5 assists for the Lakers. James is averaging 21.1 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 8-2, averaging 123.7 points, 44.4 rebounds, 29.1 assists, 10.2 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 50.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.8 points per game.
Lakers: 7-3, averaging 104.5 points, 40.4 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 9.5 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 99.8 points.
INJURIES: Thunder: Jalen Williams: out (hamstring), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
Lakers: Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Cade Cunningham top-scored for the Pistons with 32 points and 12 assists, while Tobias Harris added 30 points.
"We had a great regular season, we built a lot of momentum going into these play-offs," said Cunningham.
"To lose in the first round would have really stung. To come back from 3-1, odds against us, and to come back and win it at home - it feels good."
The Pistons will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the semi-finals, another best-of-seven series starting on 5 May.
The Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors to book their place in the second round with a 114-102 victory.
Jarrett Allen starred for the Cavaliers with 22 points and 19 rebounds as they recovered from a 10-point deficit after the first quarter.
The scores were tied 49-49 at the halfway mark but the Cavaliers surged ahead in the third quarter with Allen contributing 14 points and 10 of his rebounds.
"I just wanted to show my team-mates that we can win this game," said Allen.
"Energy and effort, that's what I believe wins games. Every single possession, it means a lot. Every single possession means it could be the end of the season."
Donovan Mitchell added 22 points and James Harden scored 18.
For the Raptors, who were in the play-offs for the first time since 2022, Scottie Barnes had 24 points and nine rebounds while RJ Barrett scored 23.
Brown went on the streaming platform Twitch on Sunday, May 3 to discuss what happened in Game 7 and spoke about the officiating. Brown had been critical of the officiating during the regular season and believes it played a role in how things were called during the postseason.
“They clearly had an agenda, maybe because I spoke so critically of them in the regular season,” Brown said on his stream. “I actually spoke to some refs, and they told me there’s an agenda going on each game, every time Jaylen puts his arm up, just call it.”
Brown explained that it was a simple basketball play that several other players do.
“Philly took advantage of that and the officiating and it cost us to some degree,” he added.
The five-time all-star also shared his displeasure with 76ers star Joel Embiid.
"Flopping has ruined our league,” Brown said. “Joel Embiid is a great player. One of the best bigs in basketball history. Flops. He knows it.”
Brown also made mention of a back brace he was wearing during the broadcast, saying that he was dealing with back pain after having to guard Embiid and the size difference between the two players.
Brown is listed at 223 pounds. Embiid is listed at 270.
“A (expletive) almost took me out,” Brown said. “I can't even bend down to tie my shoe (after guarding) Embiid.”
Brown showed a clip from Game 7 where he was seen guarding Embiid while saying, “I tried to bump and throw my weight and I felt something in my back give out.”
The former NBA Finals MVP said he wasn’t willing to share some of his grievances until after the series had ended because he didn’t want to be a distraction for his team.
(That is with all due respect to Detroit and Cleveland, but neither of those teams has looked on the level of New York or Philadelphia in the playoffs.)
This is also a showdown between two teams that looked like the best version of themselves in the first round of the playoffs, after leaving us with a lot of questions during the first 82 games. That is especially true of the 76ers — we only saw Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey together for 22 regular-season games, and even in those games, they never clicked as they did in the last three games against Boston.
Now two long-time rivals meet again in the playoffs, and whichever team comes out of this series should be a heavy favorite to make the NBA Finals. Here's what you need to know about New York vs. Philadelphia.
When does the Knicks vs. 76ers begin?
Game 1 between Philadelphia and New York is on Monday night, May 4, at Madison Square Garden in the heart of Manhattan. Games will be played every other day, up until Game 7 when there would be a two-day break.
New York vs. Playoffs Schedule 2026
All times are Eastern (* = if necessary). Game 1: Philadelphia at New York, Monday, May 4 (8 ET, NBC/Peacock) Game 2: Philadelphia at New York, Wednesday May 6 (7 ET, ESPN) Game 3: New York at Philadelphia, Friday May 8 (7 ET, Prime Video) Game 4: New York at Philadelphia, May 10 (3:30 ET, ABC) * Game 5: Philadelphia at New York, May 12 (TBD) * Game 6: New York at Philadelphia, May 14 (TBD) * Game 7: Philadelphia at New York, May 17 (TBD)
Starting in Game 4, the Knicks started getting KAT the ball more in the high post, and used him as more of a hub than a scorer. He had two triple-doubles — the first Knick ever to have two in a series — and things started to come together for both him and the Knicks. Towns also had a relatively good defensive series against the Hawks because he could drop back into the paint and not have to chase shooting bigs.
Things are going to be different with Joel Embiid in the paint. He is more physical, can step out and defend a little, and has amazing instincts and timing. KAT isn't going to have the same amount of time or space to operate. That said, the Knicks need him to have another impactful series, or they could be in trouble.
Honorable mention: Mikal Bridges. He is going to be the guy with the Tyrese Maxey assignment on defense, plus the Knicks are going to need some offense out of him as well. If Bridges has a big series, things get a lot easier for the Knicks.
Keys to watch for in Philadelphia vs. New York
Can Embiid, 76ers stay healthy?
From training camp through a week ago, everyone from fans to media to other teams have said, "If the 76ers are healthy, they can beat anyone… but they're not going to stay healthy."
Well, they did get healthy for three games and with that was enough to upset the Celtics. Now, they move on to another physical series, with games every other day — can the Sixers stay healthy through that? If any of the 76ers' big three are out, or even less than their peak, the team is in trouble.
Can the Knicks contain Embiid, Maxey?
New York had a top-10 defense after the All-Star break (sixth in the NBA from Jan. 1). That defense showed up against the Hawks and is a key reason they won the series.
Embiid and Maxey present much more difficult challenges.
New York has not been great at containing quick point guards. He's too quick for Josh Hart. Then they have Mikal Bridges (who likely gets the assignment) and OG Anunoby, but they are not really great at shutting down these kinds of guards (they would have matched up better with the "Jays" if Boston had won Game 7). Maxey is an All-Star (and about to be All-NBA) player who averaged 26.9 points a game against the Celtics and will have the ball in his hands. The Knicks need to find a way to contain him.
Embiid looked as close to his MVP self as we have seen in a long time over the last three games, and if he brings that to the Garden, he will be tough to contain for Mitchell Robinson and Towns. The Knicks in the past have used Anunoby on him as well. Expect them all to get a shot, but New York has work to do because Embiid wasn't just scoring, he was passing well and carving up the Celtics defense. Towns had a pretty good defensive series against the Hawks because they didn't have a big who could really pull him out of drop coverage. Embiid can. This will be different.
Will Knicks fans take over Xfinity Mobile Arena?
Two years ago, when these two teams met in the playoffs, the games in Philadelphia sounded like Madison Square Garden South. It happened in both games in Philadelphia between these teams this year.
"I have a message for our fans," Embiid said after the 76ers advanced. "Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like (Philadelphia) was Madison Square Garden East. We're going to need the support. Don't sell your tickets. This is bigger than you ... If you need money, I got you."
The 76ers have restricted online ticket sales for Games 3 and 4 to residents of the greater Philadelphia area. That sounds great, but there are a lot of Knicks fans with money willing to take over the secondary ticket market. It's something to watch.
Prediction: Knicks in 7
In the end, I just trust them more. This is a team that brought back the core of a gritty, tough team that made the conference finals last year, and they have shown they can dial that up.
James Dolan may just get his "Finals or bust" wish.
Pistons fans got in one final dig at the Magic as their side blew out Orlando in Game 7 of the first round of the NBA playoffs, specifically getting a shot in at Magic big man Wendell Carter Jr.
Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins (24) drives past Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first half in Game 7 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Detroit. AP
Angel Reese chants break out as the Detroit Pistons give the Magic the BELT in Game 7 pic.twitter.com/V1HsthWjhS
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) May 3, 2026
Carter is currently dating the WNBA star, and the two were first romantically linked last May.
But before she dated the Magic center, she had been dating Jalen Duren, who plays for the Pistons — adding an extra layer of spice to the first round series between Detroit and Orlando.
As if that wasn’t enough, Reese then got in on the chirping, taking to social media late last month to share a highlight on her Instagram Story of Carter, her current beau, slam dunking on Duren, her ex.
Angel Reese attends the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic. NBAE via Getty Images
It’s clear that Duren and the Pistons got the last laugh in the end, taking the best-of-seven series at home, and Duren finished the game with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Going into Game 7, Duren had averaged 9.8 points per game while shooting 52.3 percent from the field and averaging 8.5 rebounds during the postseason.
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 23: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks shoots a three point basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during Round One Game Three...
When the Knicks faced the 76ers in the playoffs two years ago, Josh Hart was a pivotal factor in the series.
In large stretches, Philadelphia used Joel Embiid on Hart, daring him to shoot from the perimeter, and Hart shot a robust 43.6 percent from distance on 6.2 attempts per game.
He would welcome that same plan from the 76ers.
“Each series is different. Atlanta, I don’t think there were many catch-and-shoot opportunities,” Hart said Sunday on the eve of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Knicks and 76ers. “Most of my 3s were off the bounce or within the last five seconds of the shot clock. [In this series], it’s going to be a completely opposite story. If it’s similar to what it was in the past, I’ll probably have as many catch-and-shoot opportunities as I want. I got to go out there, shoot the ball with confidence. I’m a good shooter, I know I’m a good shooter. I trust my work.
“Do that, and then when I’m not taking those shots, screening off-ball, screening on-ball, holding my screens, and just being decisive.”
Josh Hart attempts a 3-pointer during the Knicks’ April 23 game. NBAE via Getty Images
The 6-foot-5 Hart shot only 21.7 percent from deep in the Hawks series, although he did make 41.3 percent of his 3s during the regular season on 3.7 attempts per game.
Odds are, the 76ers are going to challenge him to make them pay by playing off him like they did two years ago.
The 76ers feature some local connections.
Reserve guard Quentin Grimes was drafted by the Knicks and played parts of three seasons for them before being dealt to the Pistons in February 2024 for veterans Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.
Rookie VJ Edgecombe spent two years at Long Island Lutheran before one season at Baylor.
VJ Edgecombe dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on February 11, 2026, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. NBAE via Getty Images
In the series win over the Celtics, the 6-4 guard from the Bahamas averaged 15.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and three assists.
Philadelphia also includes assistant coach Rico Hines, who was a St. John’s assistant under Steve Lavin from 2010 to 2015.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 03: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is interviewed after defeating the Toronto Raptors 114-102 in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 03, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I’m not sure if there was a more encouraging way for the Cavs to exorcise some demons and advance to the second round than Jarrett Allen going full-on beast mode in a Game 7.
Are the lights no longer too bright?
Allen was steady in the first half, immediately making his presence felt on both ends of the floor. But it wasn’t until the third quarter that all hell broke loose. Allen scored 14 points and hauled in 10 rebounds during that period, suddenly appearing anywhere a rebound was available.
This was the total package from Allen. Offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities. Rejecting shots at the rim, then securing stops with his defensive rebounding. All the while, Allen rolled hard to the basket and kept applying pressure on Toronto’s undersized frontcourt to stave him off. They weren’t successful, and Allen made sure to take full advantage of it.
The Cavs fired off their fake-snow machine for a ‘Cavalanche’ in the fourth quarter. Moments before, Allen received loud MVP chants at the free-throw line. He finished with 22 points and 19 gigantic rebounds. To say it again, beast mode.
Allen has had some real stinkers in big spots. We’ve seen him look totally invisible in some of the most important games of the season. Tonight couldn’t have been any more different. You couldn’t watch a possession without noticing Allen on the floor. This was the best performance of his career in arguably his biggest game to date.
LOSER – First Half Turnovers
Every second you’re trailing in a Game 7 feels like you’re drowning. The Cavs drowned for nearly the entire first half, only getting a brief gasp of breath when the game was tied in the closing moments of the second quarter.
Turnovers were the primary reason for that struggle.
The Cavs turned it over 13 times in the first half. To his credit, only one of those came from James Harden. The rest of the Cavalier starters coughed it up 10 times. That’s the type of stuff that can end your season.
Cleveland knew this would be an area of concern against the Raptors. This is a team that thrived on generating steals and taking them in transition. Toronto flexed its strengths early in this game by scoring 14 points off turnovers in the first half.
WINNER – The Role Players
As mentioned, the first half of this game wasn’t pretty. The Cavs were flirting with an early deficit that could have closed the door on anything meaningful happening in the second half. There are a lot of reasons they avoided that outcome.
One of them is Merrill.
This wasn’t a super explosive game from Merrill. But his timely shot-making was a life jacket during an otherwise stormy section of the game. Toronto recovers and closes out to shooters as quickly as any defense in the NBA. Merrill is just faster.
Merrill also deserves credit for his defense. The tone of this game shifted when he and Max Strus began pressuring the ball full court. Neither one can be considered a defensive stopper, but hustle and heart go a long way in a win-or-go-home setting.
Next on the list are Max Strus and Jaylon Tyson. Each player came up in crucial moments throughout this game.
Strus did a little bit of everything, scoring 10 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing 5 assists. Oh, he had 2 steals and 1 block, as well. He might have struggled at various points in this series, but Max remains the type of player who you want on the floor in the biggest spots.
Then there’s Tyson, who is quickly proving that even in his sophomore season, no moment is too big.
Tyson changed the dynamic of this game by being able to float around the free-throw line and create from the middle of the floor. His guard-guard screening unlocked so much for the Cavs offense, and his game-tying shot near the end of the first half gave the Cavs their first gasp of breath all night.
“I thought Jaylon was huge,” said Kenny Atkinson. “It was amazing, James and Don just gave him the ball and let him go ahead — we needed that.”
CLEVELAND — Jarrett Allen tied his playoff career high with 22 points and grabbed 19 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 114-102 victory over the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 of their series Sunday night.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 22 points and James Harden added 18 in a series in which the home team won all seven games.
Cleveland, the No. 4 seed, will visit top-seeded Detroit on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the second round. The Central Division rivals split their four regular-season meetings.
“I think we’ve already moved on (to focusing on Detroit),” Mitchell said on the court immediately after the final buzzer. “We understand we won this game, but we play in a couple days.,”
Scottie Barnes had 24 points and nine rebounds and RJ Barrett scored 23 for the Raptors, who were in the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Jarrett Allen attempts a dunk during the Cavaliers’ Game 7 win May 3. AP
All-Star forward Brandon Ingram missed his second straight game with a bruised right heel.
“We gave it all, everything we had today,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “Our guys were awesome. We made it hard on them.”
Allen had 14 points and 10 rebounds, including five on the offensive end, as Cleveland went on a 49-21 run during a 15-minute span over the second and third quarters where it turned a nine-point deficit into an 19-point advantage.
One of Allen’s baskets during the third quarter was a fast-break dunk after Max Strus stole the ball from Barnes to make it 74-59.
Cleveland was 17 of 33 from the field, including five 3-pointers, during the run while converting seven of Toronto’s turnovers into 14 points. The Raptors shot 6 of 23 and were 1 of 8 behind the arc.
The Cavaliers also had a 25-8 rebounding advantage during the spurt, and converted 10 offensive boards into 14 points.
“They were scoring in transition, getting some offensive rebounds,” Barnes said. “The offensive rebounds were giving them extra possessions. That really hurt us, giving them momentum.”
Donovan Mitchell drives to the basket during the Cavaliers’ May 3 game against the Raptors. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Toronto led for most of the first half and had a 10-point lead midway through the second quarter before Cleveland began its comeback.
The Cavaliers were down 47-38 with 2:58 remaining before going on a 11-2 run to close the half and tie it at 49. The Cavs were 4 of 17 on 3-pointers before Harden, Strus and Jaylon Tyson connected from beyond the arc.
“Sam (Merrill) said this whole series, we haven’t closed out the second quarter. We all took that to heart. We all looked at ourselves and decided that now was the time to do it,” said Allen, who had his 11th double-double in a playoff game. “I think the defensive stops, rebounds and the offense is still shaky in some areas, but I think when we rebound the ball and get stops, that just translates to the offense so much better and transition and open shots for everybody.”
Cleveland took the lead with nine straight points to open the third quarter as Mitchell scored five and Mobley added four.
“In the first half, we were forcing it too much, driving down tunnels and forcing it to the basket,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Sometimes you have to move the defense. We just kept hammering that message.”
The Cavaliers are 6-5 in Game 7s, including unbeaten in five home games. Toronto fell to 3-4 in Game 7 and 0-2 on the road.
DETROIT (AP) — Cade Cunningham had 32 points and 12 assists, Tobias Harris added 30 points and the Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic 116-94 in Game 7 on Sunday to win a playoff series for the first time in 18 years.
Cunningham averaged 32.4 points for Detroit, which last won a postseason series by beating Orlando in the second round in 2008. The Pistons advance to play the winner of Sunday evening’s Game 7 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors. Game 1 will be Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena.
The Pistons became the 15th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit and the second in the last two nights, after the Philadelphia 76ers came back to eliminate Boston.
They trailed by 24 points in Game 6 in Orlando before rallying to take the series at home. Orlando only scored 113 points in the final six quarters of the series — an average of 18.8 per period.
Cunningham and Harris became the first Pistons teammates to score 30 points in a playoff game since Bob Lanier (33) and Howard Porter (30) against the Golden State Warriors on April 17, 1977.
CAVALIERS 114, RAPTORS 102
CLEVELAND (AP) — Jarrett Allen tied his playoff career high with 22 points and grabbed 19 rebounds as Cleveland advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a victory over Toronto in Game 7 of their series.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 22 points and James Harden added 18 in a series in which the home team won all seven games.
Cleveland, the No. 4 seed, will visit top-seeded Detroit on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the second round. The Central Division rivals split their four regular-season meetings.
Scottie Barnes had 24 points and nine rebounds and RJ Barrett scored 23 for the Raptors, who were in the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Allen had 14 points and 10 rebounds, including five on the offensive end, as Cleveland went on a 49-21 run during a 15-minute span over the second and third quarters where it turned a nine-point deficit into an 19-point advantage.
Toronto led for most of the first half and had a 10-point lead midway through the second quarter before Cleveland began its comeback.
The Cavaliers were down 47-38 with 2:58 remaining before going on a 11-2 run to close the half and tie it at 49. The Cavs were 4 of 17 on 3-pointers before Harden, Max Strus and Jaylon Tyson connected from beyond the arc.
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 1: Jaylon Tyson #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers CLECAV looks on against the Toronto Raptors during Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 1, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 4-3 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
22 points, 1 assist, 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers
This wasn’t a great game from Mitchell, per se. We’ve seen him play much better than this. But compared to his recent performances, this felt huge. Mitchell fit in more than he fit out, despite starting the game 6-16 from the floor. The Cavs better utilized the space around him, cutting into the lane and pounding the offensive glass.
If you can’t get Mitchell free, you can at least use the defensive attention he receives to your advantage elsewhere. The Cavs did that, and Mitchell leaned further into it than in the games before.
Harden took care of the ball for his fewest turnovers in a game this series. That’s impressive stuff for a player who has struggled in elimination games in the past. Harden, like Mitchell, didn’t have his shot falling tonight. He was only 1-5 from deep and 3-9 from the floor. But he worked the extra mile to get into the teeth of Toronto’s defense and forced them into rotation just enough to keep the offense running smoothly.
Then on defense, Harden had his occasional lapses, but he also turned up huge for three steals that all felt like energizers.
He, of course, also kept the bigs involved. That’s half the reason you traded for him.
Mobley was a beast in games 5-6. His increased aggression and clutch performances were everything you hoped to see from him. I wouldn’t say much changed about his approach to tonight — only that his frontcourt partner stole the show.
This should be a moment of graduation for Mobley. He responded to a horrid stretch on the road by rattling off three of the more impactful and successful games of his playoff career. If he carries this forward, the Cavs will be in serious business.
I don’t think anything I type will do justice to the type of night Jarrett Allen just had.
“Man, he really put us over the top,” said Kenny Atkinson. “Best I’ve seen him.”
The Fro put on an absolute clinic in playoff toughness. He bruised the Toronto frontcourt, hammering them on the glass for 19 rebounds, 8 of which were offensive. Each rebound feels bigger than the last when playing in a Game 7 on your home floor. Allen punched in a deadly combo and ended the Raptors’ season with his rim-running efforts.
Grade: A+++
Dean Wade
5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Wade returned to the starting lineup tonight, and it immediately felt like the Cavs made the wrong decision. His indecisiveness on offense can make it hard to keep him on the floor. Especially against an aggressive team like the Raptors.
But Wade’s defense more than made up for that in this series. And despite this being his worst offensive game of the series, his minutes still felt impactful.
Strus shot just 2-8 from downtown but was a team-high plus 20 tonight. I don’t think that’s a mistake. He had one of his better games of the series, bringing all of the intangibles you need to pull off a Game 7 victory. His intensity as an on-ball defender was a bright spot and something we hadn’t seen from him yet in the playoffs this year.
Grade: B+
Jaylon Tyson
7 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
Tyson’s composure in his first Game 7 was a standout. The young wing has never feared the moment before, so I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise.
The Cavs used Tyson in the short-roll to unlock their offense and punish Toronto for swarming the ball. His decision-making over the last two games showed that Tyson’s versatility can translate to the playoffs. The lights will only get brighter, but Tyson seems to be ready for that pressure.
Grade: B+
Sam Merrill
13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Merrill’s scoring kept the Cavs from falling too far behind in the first half. His quick trigger from deep was a vital release valve for Cleveland against an athletic Raptors defense.
Grade: A-
Dennis Schroder
2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist
Schroder’s Game 5 takeover was the anomaly from this series. Still, the additional ball handling he provides took pressure off Mitchell and Harden and widened their margin for error. That was helpful, though Schroder shot just 1-7 from the floor.
For the final 27 minutes of Game 7, the Cleveland Cavaliers that a lot of people expected to show up in Game 1 — the one with more talent than their Toronto opponents — finally showed up.
In the final three minutes of the second quarter through the end of the third quarter, the Cavaliers shot 51.5% from the floor, hit 38.5% of their 3-point attempts, grabbed 10 offensive rebounds and turned them into 14 points, and forced seven turnovers that became 14 points the other way. In that same stretch, Toronto shot 29.2% from the field and was 1-of-8 from 3.
By the end of that, the Cavaliers had turned a nine point deficit into a 19 point lead, and the game was all but over. Toronto made a push in the fourth but never got the deficit down to single digits, and Cleveland cruised to a 114-102 Game 7 win.
With the victory, the Cavaliers advance and will travel to Detroit to take on the No. 1 seed Pistons on Tuesday night for the start of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The star of this game for Cleveland was big man Jarrett Allen, who stepped up with Evan Mobley in foul trouble and finished with 22 points, 19 rebounds (eight of those offensive), three blocks and a couple of steals.
Donovan Mitchell added 22 points for the Cavaliers and James Harden, after a slow start, scored 18.
Scottie Barnes had a strong game for the Raptors with 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting, plus nine rebounds. RJ Barrett added 23 points, but shot just 9-of-25 to get there. As a team, Toronto shot 29% from 3-point range for the game.
In the first half, it looked like the Cavaliers might be plagued by the things that slowed them all series. Cleveland had 13 turnovers leading to 14 Toronto points in the first half, and that, combined with the Cavaliers' starting 4-of-15 from beyond the arc, had the Raptors leading the whole way, by as many as 10. It was only getting to the free-throw line that was keeping the Cavaliers within striking distance.
And they did strike — an 11-2 run to end the half tied the game up, and it was 49-49 at the break. That was where the Cavaliers started to turn everything around.
Cleveland started the third quarter with a 9-0 run, five of those from Mitchell. Toronto started the third 3-of-12 from the floor, but the bigger issue was the five quick turnovers that had the Cavaliers running the other way.
Max Strus stripped Scottie Barnes and tossed ahead to Jarrett Allen for the SLAM.
Mitchell Robinson and Joel Embiid will meet again in another Knicks-76ers playoff series.
At least publicly, Mitchell Robinson isn’t holding a grudge against Joel Embiid.
When the Knicks and the 76ers met in the playoffs two years ago, Embiid’s flagrant foul, in which he grabbed Robinson’s left leg while he was airborne, eventually cut Robinson’s postseason short.
Then-teammate Donte DiVincenzo called it a dirty play.
Asked about it Sunday, Robinson took the high road.
“I don’t [think he’s a dirty player]. I really don’t live in the past,” he said, as the Knicks prepared to host the 76ers for Game 1 of the second-round series. “It is what it is. I just move on.”
Robinson is focused on slowing down the superstar center and helping the Knicks return to the Eastern Conference finals.
He will have a major role, not only defending Embiid, but as one of the key pieces to the Knicks defense overall.
In the opening-round series against the Hawks, the 7-footer was terrific, averaging 6.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and a block in 14 minutes per game.
Mitchell Robinson addresses reporters during a May 3 press conference. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
The Knicks outscored the Hawks by 20.5 points per 100 possessions with Robinson on the floor.
Embiid is coming off a strong series himself, averaging 28 points and nine rebounds after missing the first three games of the playoffs following emergency surgery for appendicitis late in the regular season.
“He’s a great player, and it’s fun playing against him,” Robinson said.
Asked the key to defending Embiid, Robinson said: “Watch out for fouls.”
In Game 6, the Knicks destroyed the Hawks, winning by a franchise playoff-record 51 points.
Joel Embiid prepares to shoot a free throw during the 76ers’ May 2 game against the Celtics. NBAE via Getty Images
Robinson wasn’t around for the on-court celebration.
“Two grown men playing competitive basketball, kind of the nature of this game,” Robinson said.
He was also fined $50,000, in part for a social media post in which he mocked Daniels by retweeting a reel of an AI singing rodent that included graphic lyrics.
Joel Embiid grabbed Mitchell Robinson’s leg during a 2024 playoff game. Screengrab via X/@BigKnickEnergy_
He received a call from the league office about it.
“Honestly, I forgot,” Robinson said when asked the nature of the conversation. “I wasn’t paying attention.”
“He can be big. Mitch is unique, so no matter who we play, Mitch is extremely important to what we’re trying to do, the way he offensive rebounds, the way he’s a vertical threat in the pick-and-roll game, the way he protects the rim, his versatility guarding,” coach Mike Brown said. “All that stuff is extremely important for us in this series. We need him to bring it at a high level, as well as everybody else.”
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 27: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons hugs Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game on October 27, 2025 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Pistons didn’t look like the juggernaut they were in the regular season in the first four games of their first-round series against the Orlando Magic. All of the concerns about their offense not being able to translate to the playoffs were validated. That was, until things changed in the last three games.
Whether or not you want to attribute the Pistons’ coming back from their 3-1 deficit to their grit and determination or if you want to chalk it up to the Magic folding is up to you. Both views are valid. What we can confidently say is that there are ways that this Pistons team will really push the Cavs.
Detroit had the second-best defense in the league throughout the regular season. That is mostly attributed to their ability to keep teams from getting to the basket. They limited their opponents to the fifth-fewest shots at the rim throughout the year. And when they did allow a look in the restricted area, teams converted on only 62.8% of those attempts, which is the second-best percentage in the league.
Their biggest strength carried over to the playoffs. The Pistons had the best defensive rating in the first round (103.2). The principles that made them so formidable in the regular season were present against Orlando. The Magic converted only 56.2% of their looks at the rim.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the Donovan Mitchell NBA Jam shirt is HERE.
This is one of the areas Toronto had success with against the Cavs in the first round. They kept Mitchell from getting into the lane, effectively making him an outside shooter. He wasn’t able to make them pay for that strategy, which is one of the reasons the offense struggled as much as it did.
Detroit presents a lot of those same issues. If you can keep Mitchell from getting to the basket, offense becomes a lot more difficult for Cleveland.
At the same time, Detroit doesn’t have a defender as equipped as Scottie Barnes was at staying in front of Mitchell. Barnes’s combination of size and length disrupted Mitchell in a way we haven’t seen before in the postseason. Even if Detroit has a better overall defense, Mitchell should be able to get going a little bit easier than he did in the first round.
The Pistons’ offense has been the big concern all year. The first round didn’t do anything to dispel those worries.
Detroit’s offense became stagnant in the half-court against Orlando. They weren’t able to get the three-ball to fall, Jalen Duran’s easy offense dried up, and everything fell on Cade Cunningham’s shoulders.
Cunningham is one of the best players in the league and showed why in the second half of the first round. He single-handedly willed his team to victory as he recorded 45, 32, and 32 points in the three elimination games.
Dean Wade will once again play a huge role for the Cavs in the second round. He’ll be tasked with keeping the other team’s best player under wraps. Wade handled that assignment well when he was matched up against Brandon Ingram and Barnes. Cunningham is much better than both, considering his incredible playmaking ability.
If you can keep Cunningham in check, the Pistons’ offense can fall apart quite quickly, as we saw in the first half of the first round. Tobias Harris, Daniss Jenkins, and Caris LeVert are fine role players, but they aren’t elite secondary creators. That, combined with the lack of outside shooting, makes them way too dependent on one player than you’d ideally like.
Still, this will be a dog fight. The Cavs have struggled mightily with physical and aggressive teams in the playoffs. Detroit will be the grittiest and toughest team this core has ever faced. Even though the Pistons aren’t a perfect team and may not be a true title contender, they will give the Cavs all they can handle. Expect this series to go long.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 03: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket around Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons during the fourth quarter at Rocket Arena on March 03, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 113-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers might’ve saved this era of basketball with a Game 7 victory over the Toronto Raptors. However, they won’t have long to celebrate that victory. They’ll be back in action right away as they start the second-round series against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday evening.
Here’s how the schedule looks:
Game 1 in Detroit: Tue., May 5 at 7 PM on NBCSN and Peacock
Game 2 in Detroit: Thur., May 7 at 7 PM on Prime Video
Game 3 in Cleveland: Sat., May 9 at 3 PM on NBC and Peacock
Game 4 in Cleveland: Mon., May 11 at 8 PM on NBC and Peacock
Game 5 in Detroit: Wed., May 13, time and TV TBD
Game 6 in Cleveland: Fri., May 15, time and TV TBD
Game 7 in Detroit: Sun., May 17, time and TV TBD
Games five through seven will only be played if necessary.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Let ‘Em Know shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
There’s only one day between each game in this series. That could be difficult for both teams that are coming off grueling seven-game series in the first round, with each ending on Sunday.
This is expected to be a close series. They split their four games in the regular season.
The Cavs prevailed in their first meeting in October, 116-95, in a game that was much more lopsided than the final score accurately indicates. Donovan Mitchell scored an effortless 35 points in the victory.
Detroit came back and won the next two.
On Jan. 4, the Cavs had a chance to win late, but Ausar Thompson won the game with an offensive rebound and putback to secure a 114-110 victory. In February, the Pistons took care of a skeleton-crew Cavs team in a crazy overtime win.
Finally, the Cavs won their last meeting of the season in March 113-109 without Mitchell. James Harden had 18 points and seven assists in the victory.
We’ll see how the postseason shakes out when the series starts in a few days.
