Detroit’s Bench Delivers, Pistons Force Game 7 With Blowout Win in Cleveland
The season was on the line Friday night inside Rocket Arena, and the Detroit Pistons responded like a team that refused to go home.
Facing elimination on the road, Detroit walked into Cleveland and delivered its most complete performance of the postseason, dominating the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-94 to force a winner-take-all Game 7.
And this time… it wasn’t just the stars.
It was the bench.
After all the conversation surrounding officiating, missed calls, and late-game collapses from Games 4 and 5, Detroit came out focused, physical, and determined to leave no doubt. The Pistons never trailed after the opening quarter and gradually sucked the life out of Rocket Arena with wave after wave of production from their second unit.
Marcus Sasser delivered the game of his playoff career, exploding for a team-high 27 points off the bench while knocking down big shot after big shot whenever Cleveland threatened to make a run.
Paul Reed continued his strong postseason play with 17 points, bringing energy, rebounding, and physical defense in the paint.
With Duncan Robinson back in the rotation, Detroit got another 14 points, while rookie guard Daniss Jenkins added 15 points as his confidence continues to grow on the playoff stage.
When the dust settled, Detroit’s bench had outscored Cleveland’s reserves 56-29.
That was the game.
Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham quietly controlled the pace with 21 points and 8 assists, making the right reads and letting the hot hands carry the offense.
Defensively, Detroit may have delivered its best effort of the series.
Cleveland’s stars never found rhythm:
Donovan Mitchell — 18 points (-25)
Evan Mobley — 18 points (-24)
James Harden — 23 points (-23)
Detroit forced 19 Cavaliers turnovers, turned defense into offense, and dominated the energy battle from start to finish.
After everything this series has thrown at them—controversial calls, overtime heartbreak, blown leads, and outside noise—the Pistons now have exactly what they wanted:
One game.
One opportunity.
Game 7.
And now the pressure shifts back to Cleveland.
Final Score:
Detroit 115, Cleveland 94
Next Up:
Game 7 — Winner Takes All
Detroit vs Everybody.
