Game 7s Go Bonkers: Pistons Pull Off 3-1 Comeback; Cavaliers Kill Off Raptors

Last Updated:May 04, 2026, 09:19 IST

Cade Cunningham leads Detroit’s stunning 3-1 comeback over Orlando, while Jarrett Allen powers Cleveland past Toronto as both teams set up an Eastern Conference semi-final clash.

This is the first time in NBA postseason history that there were multiple 3-1 comebacks in any single playoff round (AFP)

Another day, another 3-1 comeback… and this time, it’s the Detroit Pistons who finish the job.

Detroit blew past the Orlando Magic 116-94 in a dominant Game 7 to seal a 4-3 series win, completing one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent playoff history.

It marks the franchise’s first series victory since 2008 — the first in 18 years — and they sure made their statement, thanks to Cade Cunningham.

The Pistons star delivered when it mattered most, putting up 32 points and 12 assists, orchestrating Detroit’s offense with authority.

Tobias Harris added a crucial 30 points and nine rebounds — his first 30-point game all season — as the top seed in the East showed exactly why they’ve been so dominant all season.

Down 3-1 in the series, the gritty Pistons clawed back with wins in Games 5 and 6, including a jaw-dropping 24-point comeback, before finishing the job emphatically at home.

Detroit now become just the 15th team in NBA history to recover from a 3-1 deficit.

For Orlando, and especially Paolo Banchero tonight, it’s a bitter end.

The Magic’s franchise player did everything he could, dropping 38 points, nine rebounds and six assists, even scoring the Magic’s first 11 points of the night. But the sheer lack of support from his teammates proved to be the killshot.

Cavs Survive, Set Up Semi-Final Clash

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers held their nerve, beating the Toronto Raptors 114-102 in another Game 7 elsewhere in the league.

It was a grind, but Jarrett Allen rose to the occasion with a 22-point (his playoff career-high), 19-rebound masterclass, anchoring Cleveland on both ends of the floor.

Donovan Mitchell added 22 points, while James Harden chipped in 18 in a series where the home team won every game.

A decisive 49-21 run across the second and third quarters flipped the contest, turning a deficit into a comfortable lead.

For Toronto, Scottie Barnes (24 points) and RJ Barrett (23 points) impressed, but it wasn’t enough to extend their postseason return.

What’s Next

The stage is now set: Detroit vs Cleveland in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Game 1 tips off Tuesday.

(with agency inputs)

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