Cavs face Pistons in Game 7 with legacies on the line

The NBA playoffs have produced four Game 7s after three series ended in sweeps and three others went six games. The Eastern Conference series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons reaches that point on the road for the Cavs.

Cleveland lost Game 6 at home after winning Game 5 on the road. Detroit opened with a fast start and never let the Cavs recover. The Pistons now return home for the deciding game.

James Harden and Donovan Mitchell carry added pressure. Harden has averaged 19.1 points, 7.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds in Game 7s but shot 35.3 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from three-point range. In his last three Game 7s he scored 34 points in 113 minutes. Mitchell is viewed as a strong player but not yet among the all-time greats.

Detroit has shown resilience when facing elimination. Cade Cunningham has led the offense, and Jalen Duren added support in Game 6. The Pistons will need Duren to control the boards against Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.

Cleveland holds the edge in individual talent, yet Detroit has played the stronger basketball this season and through the postseason. Both teams have experience in Game 7s. Cleveland must win to protect its season and the postseason legacies of its key players.

The pick is Cleveland plus the points, with a belief the Cavs win outright behind a strong performance from Mitchell and at least 10 assists from Harden. The winner will face the New York Knicks.