Cavs vs Pistons predictions. Who wins Game 7 of NBA playoff series?

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DETROIT — After putting themselves in a hole by losing Games 1 and 2 in Detroit, the Cavaliers took command of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Pistons by winning three straight games. They won Games 3 and 4 in Cleveland and Game 5 in Detroit.

After failing to close out the series at home in Game 6, if the Cavs are to advance they will have to do it the hard way: by winning Game 7 in Detroit tonight.

Game 7 is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 17, with the winner advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals to face the New York Knicks.

Here are Game 7 predictions by Beacon Journal sports writers Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich:

Cavs vs Pistons predictions. Who wins Game 7? | Ryan Lewis​

• There are a lot of elements that will go into who wins this game, but the biggest factor might be Donovan Mitchell, who arguably also has the most on the line considering the narratives about his inability to get past the second round. Mitchell went absolutely nuclear in the second half of Game 4 to help the Cavs tie the series, but his shot was off in both Games 5 and 6. The Cavs survived one but couldn't make up for the lost firepower in the second, and now their playoff lives are on the line.
• The Cavs said they acquired James Harden in part for moments like these, hoping to rely on his experience to slow things down in hectic environments. In a pretty large way, the success of that trade might hinge on this Game 7, as facing the No. 1 seed on the road is a much tougher task than playing a short-handed Raptors squad at Rocket Arena in Game 7 of the first round. The Cavs were expected to win that game. This is a different situation.
• Coach Kenny Atkinson at different points in both series has mentioned the Cavs lost the "force" battle. That largely comes down to physicality, muscle and flat-out effort. If Cleveland doesn't reverse that trend, they're probably returning home rather than heading to New York for the first trip to the conference finals without LeBron James on the roster since 1992.
• This game has immense implications for both coaches, Cavs GM Koby Altman, Mitchell, Harden and several others. The Cavs proved they could win on the road, and they also proved they can squander a golden opportunity to end the series at home. Mitchell and Harden have to show up, as it's likely the No. 1 element in deciding who faces the Knicks. In the end, I'll take the Cavs' firepower to take it. Another second-round exit would be devastating for the franchise.
• Cavs 110, Pistons 106

Cavs vs Pistons Game 7 predictions | Nate Ulrich​

• The crystal ball before the Cavs-Pistons series began produced this forecast: Detroit in seven games.
• Did doubt about the original prediction set in after the Cavs won Game 5 in Detroit? Absolutely. The Cavs appeared to experience a meaningful moment with their first playoff road victory of 2026. But then an all-time letdown occurred with their Game 6 loss at home, sending the second-round series back to Detroit for Game 7.
• Game 6 wasn't merely a loss. It was a 21-point beatdown at the hands of a more aggressive Pistons team.
• It used to be easy to tell which version of the Cavs would show up on a given night this postseason. The site of the game would telegraph it.
• Then the script flipped. The Cavs won their first road game of the playoffs in Game 5 and lost their first home game of the playoffs in Game 6.
• So, which side of the Cavs will we see in Game 7? It's anyone guess, but this guess is not an expression of faith in Cleveland.
• Pistons 112, Cavs 106

The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons predictions for Game 7

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