The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers are both one win from advancing to the 2026 Eastern Conference finals.
Awaiting the winner of Sunday’s Game 7 in the second round of the NBA playoffs is the New York Knicks.
The Knicks swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and have won seven in a row since trailing the Atlanta Hawks, 2-1, in the first round.
The NBA announced the Eastern Conference finals schedule will have games every other day.
[ These Pistons never quit, as they showed in Game 6 against Cavaliers ]
The Knicks will have the huge rest advantage, having last played Sunday, May 10, giving them eight straight rest days ahead of Game 1. The Pistons/Cavs winner will be on one day of rest.
The Pistons whacked the Knicks in all three games during the regular season, winning by 31, 38 and 15 points.
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The Knicks won two of three from the Cavs during the regular season, with the Cavs winning the lone matchup after the trade deadline, 109-94 in Cleveland, after acquiring James Harden.
Here’s more on the Eastern Conference finals schedule:
When is Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals?
Game 1 of the series will be played Tuesday, May 19, either in New York or Detroit.
If the 1-seed Pistons advance past the 4-seed Cavaliers, they will host the 3-seed Knicks at Little Caesars Arena in a rematch of last year’s fantastic first-round series, won 4-2 by New York.
If the Cavs advance past the Pistons, they will visit the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Who do the Pistons play if they win Game 7?
The Pistons would play the Knicks, hosting them Tuesday for Game 1 and Thursday for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Who do the Cavs play if they win Game 7?
The Cavaliers would play the Knicks, starting on the road Tuesday for Game 1 and Thursday for Game 2.
Eastern Conference finals schedule for Knicks vs Pistons/Cavs
Here is the Cavaliers or Pistons schedule for the best-of-seven 2026 Eastern Conference finals against the Knicks. The 1-seed Pistons would have homecourt advantage over the 3-seed Knicks. The Knicks would have homecourt advantage against the 4-seed Cavs.
All times Eastern; *if necessary.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Eastern Conference finals schedule for Knicks vs Pistons or Cavaliers
Reporting by Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
