A 10-second sequence in the third quarter of Game 6 on Friday, May 15, revealed that the Detroit Pistons, with their backs against the wall, weren’t going to be denied.
Paul Reed tried and failed to corral a rebound with his right arm, but he readjusted and jumped out of bounds to lob the ball back in the air toward the right corner. Duncan Robinson tracked it down and lobbed it back toward Ausar Thompson, who batted it away and secured it from Sam Merrill.
Reed, who recovered immediately, received the ball from Thompson at the free throw line and drove into Jarrett Allen with an up-and-under scoop. The ball bounced off the backboard, spun and hung on the back of the rim for what felt like an eternity. Anticipation swelled on the Pistons’ bench as the ball took its time, slowly, before finally falling through the net after several seconds.
It was climatic, and it might’ve won them the game. Reed completed the 3-point play, and the Pistons took a 71-61 lead with 4:53 left in the third quarter. Facing elimination, they made extra effort after extra effort and wore the Cleveland Cavaliers down in a 115-94 Game 6 win.
The jubilation in that moment stood in contrast to a shell-shocked crowd at Rocket Arena, which watched silently as the Pistons’ lead grew from 10 to 15 and eventually to 21 through a dominant second half. They crushed the Cavaliers on their home floor to force a Game 7 in Detroit, scheduled for Sunday (8 p.m., Prime Video).
Now just one win separates the Pistons from their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals since 2008. Their journey to this point has been hard-fought and well-earned. The Pistons have won four games in a row while facing elimination, after completing a comeback from trailing 3-1 in the first round against the Orlando Magic. A resiliency that pushed them to a 60-win regular season has continued to prove true in the playoffs.
“It’s going to be a lot of energy,” Cade Cunningham said of Little Caesars Arena. “It’s going to be a madhouse in there. The crowd is going to come to play, as well. They want to insert themselves into the game, I know that. It’s going to be a fun environment for us, and we’re excited to get back to the crib.”
Regardless of the blowout result in Game 6, it won’t be easy for the Pistons on their home floor in Game 7. Here are their keys to success:
More interior dominance from Duren and Reed
“Bball Paul” has become the Pistons’ most consistent player outside of Cunningham. Reed tallied a playoff-high 17 points and six rebounds in just 16 minutes of action on Friday, his fourth consecutive game scoring in double figures. Reed was the third big man in the regular season but has become irreplaceable in the postseason.
Jalen Duren has looked uncomfortable through most of the playoffs, but he put together one of his best performances in Game 6. From the jump, he was aggressive in attacking Cavs center Jarrett Allen and nimble and decisive with the ball in his hands. He tallied a double-double for the first time since Game 2 with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
They were key in the Pistons’ success on the glass and in the interior and will need to replicate that effort on Sunday.
“I thought it was huge for JD to be able to get going a little bit,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “It starts with the rebounding part of it, what he was doing defensively for us, his communication. But the four offensive rebounds are huge. That means he’s imposing his will on the game. And then all the other stuff comes from that. And B-Ball has been consistent. Every time he gets his opportunity to go out there, he does a great job going out there and contributing at a high level.”
The bench rising to the moment − again
Reed was among many risers from the Pistons’ second unit. Marcus Sasser played 15-plus minutes for the second game in a row after being out of the rotation through the first 11 games of the postseason and scored nine points while bringing it on the defensive end. Robinson, who came off of the bench after missing a game with lower back soreness, chipped in 14 points. Caris LeVert remained locked in defensively and tallied eight points, three assists, a steal and a block.
The Pistons’ depth has been a big asset all season. In lieu of having a “true” second offensive option, they got contributions up and down the roster and put together one of the best offensive performances this postseason.
Thompson continuing to be a one-man show
The only thing that could slow Thompson down on Friday was the whistle. Thompson was hit with a handful of inconsistent calls and battled foul trouble before picking up his sixth with about four minutes left in the game. It otherwise was yet another impressive two-way effort from him, as he finished with 10 points, nine rebounds (five offensive), four assists, four steals and a block in just 24 minutes.
No one on the roster can replicate the way Thompson positively impacts the game in so many facets. He’s among their top rebounders and keeps the offense moving with his ability to quickly locate shooters and push in transition. His disruption leads to turnovers and sparks their fastbreak offense. At least once a night, he pulls off an athletic feat only he and his twin brother, Amen, are capable of.
Thompson has been as critical to their success as any other player, including Cunningham. They need him on the floor for longer than 24 minutes.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 7 prediction
Momentum is in the Pistons’ favor. They shut down Cleveland’s offense in the second half, holding them to 29.3% overall shooting. Duren delivered one of his best performances. Role players met the moment and hit big shots throughout the night. They should take care of their home floor and clinch a trip to the conference finals. The pick: Pistons 110, Cavaliers 101.
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Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons’ bigs need to bring it in Game 7 vs Cavaliers: prediction
Reporting by Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
