Despite leading by only three entering halftime in an elimination game, the Detroit Pistons refused to go home, scorching the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half to claim a 115-94 Game 6 victory on Saturday.
Cade Cunningham topped the scoring for Detroit once again, notching 21 points, 2 rebounds, and 8 assists as he enters the first Game 7 of his career.
“We’re just playing our brand of basketball—coming out competing, trying to execute our system to the best of our ability, and we stay together through everything, so it’s a great win for us,” Cunningham said postgame.
Pistons Role Players Step Up to Force Rubber Match
With their backs against the wall, it was the contributions from both the first and second units that ultimately led Detroit to force the series into a decider.
Jalen Duren, who had been struggling throughout most of the series, finally saw a breakthrough game, dropping 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 stocks. Meanwhile, second-stringer Paul Reed notched 17 points and 6 rebounds in only 16 minutes off the bench.
As a whole, the Pistons more than doubled Cleveland in bench scoring, 40-19, while also shooting 52% from the field and 44% from beyond the arc.
Donovan Mitchell Struggles
With the loss, the Cavs will still have one last chance to advance to their first conference finals in the post-LeBron James era, but they will now have to play visitors as they enter their second straight Game 7 of the 2026 Playoffs.
James Harden paced Cleveland in the loss with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals, while Evan Mobley dropped 18 points and 6 rebounds. Star guard Donovan Mitchell struggled with 18 points on an abysmal 6-for-20 shooting.
The Cavs shot only 34% from deep while committing 20 turnovers and were outscored in the second half, 61-43.
Both teams will look to enter the conference finals in Game 7 on Monday.
