Post by : Badri Ariffin

The Detroit Pistons kept their playoff dreams alive with a commanding 115-94 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semis on Friday. This victory equalizes the series at 3-3, setting the stage for an exhilarating Game 7 in Detroit on Sunday.

Cade Cunningham starred for Detroit, scoring 21 points and nailing five three-pointers. The Pistons took control in the second half, achieving one of the most significant playoff road wins for a team facing elimination in NBA history.

This 21-point margin equals the NBA playoff record for the largest Game 6 road victory for a team trailing 3-2 in a series, previously set by the St. Louis Hawks in 1960.

Jalen Duren supported with a double-double, contributing 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Daniss Jenkins also added 15 points. Veteran Paul Reed further bolstered the bench with 17 points.

Detroit’s bench outperformed Cleveland's reserves significantly, scoring 48 to 19. Duncan Robinson returned from injury to add 14 points, including four three-pointers.

The Pistons made their defensive presence felt, forcing Cleveland into 20 turnovers that led to 28 points for Detroit. They dominated the offensive rebounds, converting 13 into 20 second-chance points.

Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised his team’s defensive drive following the match.

Building on a 54-41 halftime lead, the Pistons quickly stretched it further with a 12-2 run in the third quarter. Even when Cleveland cut the lead to six points, a 13-2 surge from Detroit reasserted their dominance.

A crucial missed dunk by Evan Mobley allowed Marcus Sasser to secure a buzzer-beating layup, ending the third at 84-70 in favor of Detroit.

For the Cavaliers, James Harden recorded 23 points, with Donovan Mitchell and Mobley each adding 18. This loss marked Cleveland's first at home during the postseason.

Post-game, Mitchell acknowledged the Cavaliers' slow response to Detroit's aggressive start, while Harden noted his team's struggles to find a rhythm.

The decisive Game 7 will determine which team advances to the Eastern Conference Finals.

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