Playoff Live Thread: Cavs @ Pistons, Game 7 ECSF
2026-05-17Good evening CtB!
The Cavs have jumped across Lake Erie to the banks of the Detroit River for what could be the final game of their season, Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the top seeded Detroit Pistons. The odds are stacked against the good guys, but just when you think they’re dead they come back to life. Can they do it one more time? Stay tuned…
Checking out some of the stats, it’s easy to see why many think this is a referendum game on Donovan Mitchell. He’s been a complete no-show the entire playoffs no matter how you slice it. The only real question is to what degree has Kenny Atkinson sabotaged him (and James Harden) by playing Dennis Schröder, who has been far and away the worst rotation player in the playoffs for the Cavs and it’s not even close. The Cavs have a net rating of -11.6 points per 100 possessions when the Umlaut is on the floor and he has a playoff BPM of -4.6, unquestionably the worst among the playoff rotation players. The fact that Jaylon Tyson, who has been far and away Mitchell’s favorite running mate this season, has been glued to the bench in favor of Schröder makes Kenny Atkinson look like JBozo 2.0 with his own brand of teacher’s pet coaching. In the playoffs where the margin is razor thin, Donovan Mitchell and Kenny Atkinson deserve all the slander should they flame out tonight.
That being said, this should be a game the stars dream of playing… Game 7, one game away from being a date with the Knicks for the a trip to the finals. Let’s see what our boys have, #LetEmKnow
Tip off is scheduled for 8PM Eastern time and will be streamed live on Amazon Prime (#SilverforPrison) Go Cavs!!!
Dumb no challenge
Cavs bigs finally having THAT game.
More of that Duran.
I can only guess that the spellchecker saw more of Duran Duran than Duren in the dataset.
I’m nervous.
…a way of life this time of year, esp as 4th seed.
That was me last game. This game I’m observing dispassionately. Self-protection, maybe.
Oh yeah, remember that the Pistons were down big to the Magic. Cavs played about as well as they could, Pistons played poorly.
Loving this…Stomp their necks.
Allen misses a bunny at the close.
Eh. That wasn’t a bunny. That was a tough pass to get and lay in in one motion.
Dang. Thompson hits a 3 and we miss the buzzer beater.
Still, up 17. Our best half of the POs. Spida, JA, Mobes, & Merrill have been fantastic. Wade real good too.
Gosh, there were so many great moments for the Cavs.
Mobley off the bounce has been filthy tonight
Mitchell setting the table fantastically well.
Very aware of his passing options tonight.
Allen finishing strong!
Harris has been ice cold again, thankfully.
Crowd is quiet,,,,,
Love Evan’s aggression tonight.
Yes!
String drive, Mobley!
.
Does one give Tyson one minute here?
Not while they are motoring.
Det was down 24 in Orlando early 3Q down 3-1. Came all the way back.
LOL Spida eyeballing a loudmouth in the crowd after the bucket. He’s up for it.
Go ahead, add fuel to the fire.
Up 20.
I am happily stunned.
JA, thanks for hitting both FT
Why is Harden still out there.
Friendly jump ball call there.
46% on FTs. Oof.
3 on Harden.
Staying on.
They keep playing like this, I’m gonna go right ahead and get my hopes up.
Careful. Also, let’s hope the team doesn’t do that.
Oh I haven’t yet. Might wait for 2 min left in the 4th for that.
The grift is the gift
Gonna give JB an aneurysm.
Have taken care of the ball so far. Long may that last!
Not a flagrant. A foul, for sure.
Terrible inbounds previously.
And Caris still hot.
Schröder must have been a soccer player in his youth.
Right?
German requirement.
He did get hit…that Harden one is worse.
Still can’t hit 2 FTs.
So happy for Merrill – shooting unconsciously in a game 7. Attaboy!
Dennis feeds Merrill for another 3.
Up 15.
Sam I am! (…or Sam We are???)
Kenny furious about the shot clock violation
Merrill goes in
Good. Bout time he coached with some fire.
He should be. Both of them have been on Harden not shooting.
But only TOs. Winning the glass overall and offensive. Shooting 50/40. More FT attempts.
That will get it done.
Shoot it, Harden! FFS.
Twice James!!!
Dennis still on the floor, like Kenny is trying to piss off CLF 😆
#LETEMKNOW
Missed free throws are gonna cost us a game. I hope not tonight.
Schröder feeds JA with Harris on him.
4/9 at the line
Missed FTs have a way of coming back to haunt you.
Mobes aggressive.
We are kicking ass on the offensive glass.
That was a beautiful layup by DM.
If Cavs can match them on easy 2s, I like their chances.
Merrill getting jobbed.
GET SCHRODER OFF THE FLOOR KENNY WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM
He’s been fine. What are you on about?
2 quick ones on Mitchell.
And Sam gets his pocket picked.
Oh, my!
Mitchell at the buzzer. Up 9.
3s started falling. Wade broke the seal. Merrill hit 2. Mobley hit a grenade. Then Harden 2.
Detroit is gonna get super aggressive. Hopefully we can match it. Did a good job on the glass and not too many TOs.
Good deal,,,they need a few of those bail out buzzer beaters to fall.Detroit has gotten the benefit of a few of those.
Booyah! Great that Sam is getting and making some shots
And 10 assists already
Mitchell! Yessir!!!
Well if that’s how you gotta get em keep taking them I guess, Mitch.
Spida!
The rock is moving, at least.
Wade is everywhere.
James Griften
Go at Robinson every time.
Absolutely.
And Robinson grifts one back lol
Attaway Mobley
Wow, Cavs pressuring the DET ballhandler in the back court!! Never thought I’d see the day.
Duren obviously pushed Allen on that OReb.
Wade playing well.
TOs creeping in a bit.
Quit handling the ball, bigs! Playing right into their hands.
Wade is certainly looking bouncy.
Didn’t get a,shot out of a TO.
Is anyone else scarred by the sight of Boozer progeny?
And then just after…
Got to a tv timeout before turning it over! Refreshing
Generally pleased with the start. DM assists are a good sign.
Stop chucking. Go to the rack.
0-6 on triples.
The corner three is not Mobley’s spot.
The 3s not good from us. Jave been good on the glass.
Love the early dimes from Slida.
MITCHELL LOCKED IN LETS GOOOOO
Let’s go Cavs!
Strus starting.
Good.