Cavs pummel Pistons in complete performance, advance to East finals

The Cavaliers didn’t just win Game 7. They took it.

Cleveland blew out Detroit, 125-94, on the road to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2018 — and the first time without LeBron James since 1992.

This wasn’t a nail-biter. It was control. From the second quarter on, the Cavs separated and never looked back, turning a tense Game 7 into a statement.

Donovan Mitchell led the way with 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, setting the tone early. Jarrett Allen added 23 points, Evan Mobley chipped in 21, and Sam Merrill poured in 23 off the bench.

Balanced. Efficient. Connected.

Cleveland became just the fourth team since the merger to have four 20-point scorers in a Game 7. That’s how complete this effort was.

Detroit never found footing. Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren combined for just 20 points, and the Pistons failed to score more than 26 in any quarter. 

Different level. Different night. Now it’s the Knicks next. 

Afterward, Allen kept it simple.

“We just knew we had to get the job done,” he said. “We knew every possession was important.”

He also pointed to Mitchell.

“Huge for a leader to try to get everyone else involved.”

That showed. Now the Cavs are four wins from the Finals.

Much more to come on Hoops Wire.