Cade Cunningham, Pistons Force Game 7 vs. Cavs as NBA Fans Criticize James Harden, Donovan Mitchell
Cade Cunningham helped the Detroit Pistons stave off elimination with a 115-94 road victory over Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, forcing a decisive Game 7.
Mitchell and Harden struggled to find their rhythm in Friday's potential series-clinching Game 6 loss, combining to shoot just 12-of-33 from the field for 41 points with 11 turnovers as Cleveland failed to put away Detroit in front of a frustrated home crowd.
For Detroit, Cunningham poured in 21 points while shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc and added eight assists with a block to lead the Pistons' offense.
Six Pistons finished in double figures as Detroit held off Cleveland. Duncan Robinson scored 14 points while Paul Reed added 17 points. Jalen Duren contributed 15 points and Daniss Jenkins chipped in 15 points in the balanced team effort.
Detroit controlled the first two games of the series on its home floor, rolling to 111-101 and 107-97 victories behind Cunningham's strong all-around performances. The star guard combined for 48 points and 17 assists in the pair of wins.
Cunningham stayed hot in Game 3, recording a triple-double, but the Pistons were unable to overcome Mitchell's 35-point outing in a 116-109 loss.
Mitchell followed with his best performance of the postseason in Game 4, erupting for 43 points to help Cleveland even the series.
The Cavaliers then grabbed a 3-2 series lead in Game 5 behind Harden's 30-point performance in a 117-113 overtime victory before falling in Game 6.
A look at the semifinal playoff bracket.
Western Conference
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder defeat No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers, 4-0
No. 2 San Antonio Spurs lead No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, 3-2
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Detroit Pistons tied No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers, 3-3
No. 3 New York Knicks defeat No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers, 4-0
With a trip to the Eastern Conference finals on the line, either the top-seeded Detroit Pistons or the No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers will move on to face the No. 3 New York Knicks.
The series now shifts back to Detroit, where Game 7 is set for Sunday.
