Detroit forced this Game 7. After the Cavaliers had a chance to close it out in Cleveland in Game 6 and blew it in a 21-point loss, this series is going the distance. Tonight, May 17, the deciding game tips off at 8 p.m. ET in Detroit, and the East Finals spot goes to whoever can hold their composure in what figures to be a hostile, electric environment.
The Cavaliers led this series 3-2 heading into Game 6. They had home court. They had every advantage a team could want in a closeout situation. The Pistons took everything they had and turned it into a beatdown on the road. That kind of reversal tells you something real about the mental toughness of both squads heading into a winner-take-all game.
Cleveland has Donovan Mitchell, and Mitchell has been the most important player in this series when he’s locked in. He led the Cavs back from a road deficit in Game 5, where he delivered with the season on the line. That experience matters tonight.
Detroit has the crowd advantage and the momentum. James Harden is chasing playoff scoring history tonight. His ability to draw fouls and create for teammates gives Detroit an extra dimension that makes their offense hard to defend.
Cleveland is the better team on paper. Detroit is playing with house money and a home crowd that will be deafening from tip-off. Game 7s on the road, no matter how good you are, are never easy. If the game is tight late, anything can happen. And that’s exactly why tonight is must-see viewing.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
