The Detroit Pistons forced a decisive Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinals after a 115-94 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday at Rocket Arena, completing a turnaround in a series that now stands level heading into Sunday’s finale in Detroit.
Cade Cunningham led the performance with 21 points, while Jalen Duren added 15 points and 11 rebounds as Detroit controlled the second half and extended its postseason run. The victory marked another elimination-game response from a young roster that has already faced multiple high-pressure situations this playoff season.
Paul Reed described his connection to the moment and the team’s identity, telling Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, “I’ve been in love with the game since I was about eight or nine years old.” He added, “I realized back then that basketball is way more fun than football.”
Reed also emphasized the collective focus, stating, “I mean, it means a lot. I’m just happy that we were able to do what we had to do here to take care of business and get to a Game 7.” He continued, “Honestly, it’s not even just about me. It’s about everybody in that locker room, all the fans in Detroit, and the coaching staff.”
Duren highlighted the competitive foundation behind his development, saying, “Just being outside, playing with my guys and my homies on the court, getting up and down. Those pickup games made me fall in love with the competition.”
Duren added perspective on the team’s outlook, stating, “Super excited, man. We’re still alive and we’re still fighting.” He also pointed to belief in the group, saying, “When we have guys like Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson out there with us, I like our chances.”
Ausar Thompson kept his focus strictly on execution, saying, “What comes to mind? Nothing really, I’m just focusing on the Cavs.” He added, “It’s all about what we have to do to beat them.”
Thompson also emphasized the stakes of the moment, stating, “You know it’s win or go home, and we put them in a position where it’s win or go home for them, too. The team that wants it the most is going to come out prepared.”
Veteran forward Tobias Harris framed the situation through experience and stability, saying, “Tonight was a huge win for us.” He added, “It was just about bringing the energy that was needed for this game, and it was a collective effort from so many different individuals out there.”
Harris also stressed consistency heading into Game 7, stating, “The biggest thing for us now is taking that same momentum, bringing it to the next game, and being able to protect our home court.” He continued, “We all support each other on and off the floor.”
