The Cavaliers entered Game 6 against the Pistons riding a three-game winning streak, with a golden opportunity to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals and play the Knicks.
Then, several weaknesses from the regular season reemerged.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 21 points, while Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers faltered in the second half, getting outscored 61-43 at home.
Detroit once again staved off elimination with a 115-94 blowout win, and for the second consecutive series, we are reminded of two of the most exciting words in sports, “Game 7.”
The Pistons are 4.5-point favorites on the spread, with an over/under of 206.5 total points.
At the start of the playoffs, despite winning 60 games and earning the top seed in the East, many questions surrounded the Pistons’ championship prospects.
Now, facing their fifth elimination game on Sunday, it’s possible the 20-to-1 odds they received to win it all were precise, but this team remains resilient.
The Pistons appeared more determined from tip-off, outrebounding the Cavs 43-40 in Game 6. Cleveland struggled with the physicality of Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren on the offensive boards in the first half.
Thompson also successfully limited Mitchell to an ineffective 6-for-20 on field goals by pressuring him into difficult shots near the paint and using his quick hands to force turnovers.
Additionally, the team was unable to effectively track the Pistons’ perimeter shooters as Cunningham drilled five 3-pointers, revealing a flaw in Cleveland’s defensive rotations.
Turning over the basketball has also hampered the Cavaliers throughout the series.
Detroit has capitalized on Cleveland’s miscues, averaging 23.2 points off turnovers and 10.3 steals per game. The length of the Pistons is weighing down the All-Star backcourt duo, and their inability to remain efficient shooting from the floor is a cause for concern.
After exploding for 43 points in Game 4, Mitchell was rather pedestrian in Games 5 and 6.
His running mate, Harden, has played slightly better, but he continues to struggle with turnovers, registering 8 in Game 6 and averaging 5 per game overall.
This elimination game presents a good chance for Mitchell to bounce back, but Harden needs to overcome previous closeout-game disappointments.
Before the Cavs’ Game 7 victory against the Raptors in Round 1, Harden’s recent elimination game record (excluding his time with the Rockets and Thunder) includes three straight losses with the Nets, 76ers, and Clippers.
I expect the Pistons will rally and defend their home court again, just as they did in Round 1 against the Magic, as Cunningham’s high usage rate makes his prop of 39-plus points + rebounds + assists a reasonable play.
They led most of Game 5 at Little Caesars Arena, but a late collapse in the fourth quarter and overtime cost them the win.
Not to mention the Cavs enter with plenty of difficulty playing away from home and are just 1-5 in six road playoff games this postseason.
The Plays: Pistons moneyline (-180, DraftKings) | Cade Cunningham to record 39 or more points + assists + rebounds (-175, Fanatics)
Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC. He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years. Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.
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