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Recap: Pistons, Cavaliers win in Game 7, will face off in East semis

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Detroit hosts Orlando to kick off our Game 7 doubleheader, followed by Toronto visiting Cleveland.

Enjoy the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Sunday’s action.

We’ve got two thrilling Game 7s today, starting with Magic-Pistons followed by Raptors-Cavaliers (7:30 p.m. ET, Peacock/NBC)! The winner of each series will go on to face off in the Eastern Conference Semifinals that begins on Tuesday on Peacock / NBC Sports Network.

What we know about Sunday’s games:

  • There have been 156 Game 7s in NBA history. After today’s doubleheader in the Eastern Conference, that number will jump to 158.
  • Home teams have a record of 115-41 (.737) in Game 7s, meaning history heavily favors Detroit and Cleveland.
  • The Pistons pulled off a historic 24-point comeback in their Game 6 victory behind Cade Cunningham, who dropped 24 of his 32 points in the second half, with 19 coming in the fourth quarter. Detroit’s defense tightened up down the stretch, as they held Orlando to 4-for-37 shooting and 2-for-18 on 3-pointers over the final two quarters. The Magic were outscored 55-19 during that span and went 0-for-23 (0-13 3PM) for nearly 14 minutes on their home court.
  • Cleveland and Toronto have been evenly matched throughout their first-round series, as the home team has won every game between the two. The Cavaliers and Raptors have each scored 111.5 points per game, with an aggregate score of 669-669 and nearly identical counting and shooting stats. Will the Cavs continue the series trend at home in Game 7 to advance? Or will the Raptors’ momentum from RJ Barrett’s go-ahead 3 in OT in Game 6 be the difference?

Sunday’s finals

MAY 3, 2026 / 10:54 ET

The X Factor

Jarrett Allen was all over the glass in Sunday’s Game 7 win for Cleveland.

MAY 3, 2026 / 10:42 ET

No rest for the weary

The Pistons and Cavaliers will both be off Monday, and they’ll begin their East Semis series at 7 PM ET Tuesday in Detroit.

MAY 3, 2026 / 10:37 ET

Making it a habit

Cleveland will play in the East Semifinals for the third consecutive season.

MAY 3, 2026 / 10:29 ET

Cavaliers coast to Game 7 win

Cleveland survived a chippy fourth quarter to beat the Raptors 114-102 and advance to face the Pistons in the East Semis.

Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell both scored 22 points in the clincher.

MAY 3, 2026 / 9:49 ET

Cavs take control

The Cavaliers lead 87-68 after three quarters.

Center Jarrett Allen was huge as Cleveland asserted itself.

MAY 3, 2026 / 8:50 ET

Fit to be tied

The Raptors and Cavaliers are all tied up at halftime in Game 7.

MAY 3, 2026 / 8:16 ET

Raptors up by a bucket after 1st Quarter

MAY 3, 2026 / 8:06 ET

Get up. Get way up.

Collin Murray-Boyles leapt for a highlight reel alley-oop in the first quarter.

MAY 3, 2026 / 8:00 ET

Another game, another milestone

James Harden moved up another spot in the playoff almanac in Game 7.

MAY 3, 2026 / 7:46 ET

Raptors/Cavs are underway in Game 7

MAY 3, 2026 / 7:13 ET

Pistons await winner of Raptors/Cavaliers

Did you miss the early game? NBA can catch you up in one tweet.

MAY 3, 2026 / 7:09 ET

Cavs and Raptors are ready to roll

James Harden, Donovan Mitchell and company are ready to defend home court in Game 7 against the Raptors. Winner take all. Loser goes home.

MAY 3, 2026 / 6:26 ET

Detroit completes the comeback

The Pistons become the 15th team in NBA history to rally back from a 3-1 series deficit, taking down Orlando 116-94 in their Game 7 victory. It’s Detroit’s first series win since 2008!

Cade Cunningham dazzles with 32 points (10-18 FG), 12 assists and 2 blocks to join Isiah Thomas as the only players in franchise history to record 20+ points and 10+ assists in a Game 7. Tobias Harris goes off for a Game 7 career-high 30 points on 11-for-18 shooting (5-7 3PM) with 9 boards, 2 dimes, 3 steals and one block.

Cunningham and Harris are just the 10th teammates in league history to score 30+ points in a Game 7. Jalen Duren tallies his first double-double of the series with 15 points (5-9 FG), 15 rebounds, 3 assists and one steal in 37 minutes.

Paolo Banchero leads all scorers and four Magic in double figures with 38 points (14-25 FG, 4-7 3PM, 6-8 FT) to go along with 9 rebounds, 6 assists and one block in 42 minutes.

MAY 3, 2026 / 6:08 ET

Pistons closing in on series win

Tobias Harris (30 pts, 8 reb, 3 stl) and Cade Cunningham (32 pts, 12 ast, 2 blk) have Detroit 1:33 away from their first postseason series victory since 2008. The Pistons lead the Magic 110-92.

MAY 3, 2026 / 5:56 ET

Magic not done yet

Orlando trims the deficit to 14 points, as they trail Detroit 100-86 with 4:22 left in the game. The Pistons call a timeout to try to calm things down.

MAY 3, 2026 / 5:41 ET

A corner 3 from Daniss Jenkins (14 pts, 4 3PM, 3 reb, 3 ast) forces an Orlando timeout and pushes Detroit’s lead to 91-68 with 9:19 remaining in the contest on ABC.

MAY 3, 2026 / 5:34 ET

Pistons up 83-64 going to 4Q

Detroit separates in the third with a 19-point advantage behind Cade Cunningham (26 pts, 8 ast, 2 blk) and Tobias Harris (24 pts, 8 reb, 3 stl, 1 blk). Daniss Jenkins (11 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast) buries a deep triple as the buzzer sounds on the period, sending Pistons fans into a frenzy.

Paolo Banchero has a game-high 32 points on 12-for-22 shooting (4-7 3PM), but the rest of the Magic are a combined 10-for-37 from the field.

MAY 3, 2026 / 5:30 ET

Stars arrive for Game 7 in Cleveland

The Cavaliers play host to the Raptors for Game 7 of their first-round series.

MAY 3, 2026 / 5:18 ET

Magic cut into deficit

Orlando rattles off a 7-0 run to trim their 20-point deficit down to 13, as they trail Detroit 71-58 with 4:52 to go in the third. Paolo Banchero is doing it all for the Magic, tallying 28 points (11-19 FG), 7 rebounds, 3 assists and one block in 27 minutes.

MAY 3, 2026 / 5:09 ET

Detroit starts 3Q strong

The Pistons push their lead to 66-51 with 8:13 left in the third quarter. Detroit forces 3 quick Magic turnovers as their dominant defense continues to make an impact.

MAY 3, 2026 / 4:49 ET

Cade, Harris fuel Pistons’ 1H lead

Tobias Harris erupts for 17 of his team-high 19 points (7-11 FG, 2-4 3PM) in the second quarter, adding 4 rebounds and one block to help Detroit secure a 60-49 lead at halftime. Cade Cunningham tallies 15 points and 9 dimes, while Jalen Duren posts 9 points, 8 rebounds and a game-best +18 in 18 minutes.

Detroit forces 9 Magic turnovers resulting in 12 points for the home team, and they use that tenacity on defense to spark a 20-6 run to close the half.

Orlando is outscored 40-27 in the second quarter despite a game-high 23 points (9-14 FG, 4-6 3PM) from Paolo Banchero. He’s the only Magic player in double figures, as Desmond Bane is their second-leading scorer with 8 points and two made 3s.

The Magic need somebody outside of Banchero to step up if they hope to rally back in the second half and advance to the conference semifinals.

MAY 3, 2026 / 4:23 ET

Back and forth in Detroit

Ten lead changes and four ties already in this Game 7. Orlando tallies an 8-0 run, but Detroit responds with a 7-0 run of their own to grab a 38-35 advantage with 6:29 remaining before halftime.

Cade Cunningham is up to a team-high 13 points (3 3PM) and 5 dimes, and Jalen Duren is imposing his will with 7 points (3-4 FG) and 6 boards.

Paolo Banchero continues to scorch, pouring in 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting (4-4 3PM) with 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 14 minutes of action.

MAY 3, 2026 / 4:11 ET

Defense shines in 1Q

Orlando and Detroit have combined for 5 blocks and 5 steals through the first 12 minutes, and it’s the Magic who take a 22-20 edge heading to the second quarter.

Paolo Banchero leads all scorers with 11 points on 4-for-7 shooting (3-3 3PM), while Jalen Suggs tallies 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and one block.

Cade Cunningham (5 pts, 2 ast, 1 blk) and Jalen Duren (5 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast) power the Pistons.

MAY 3, 2026 / 3:51 ET

Banchero starts hot

Paolo Banchero (4-6 FG, 3-3 3PM) has all 11 of Orlando’s points to give them an 11-10 lead over Detroit with 6:17 left in the first quarter on ABC.

Jalen Duren leads the Pistons with 4 points and 3 rebounds.

MAY 3, 2026 / 2:30 ET

Orlando Magic:

  • PG – Jalen Suggs (12.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.5 spg)
  • SG – Desmond Bane (18.5 ppg, 41.5 3P% on 8.8 3PA, 5.0 rpg, 1.8 spg)
  • SF – Jamal Cain (4.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
  • PF – Paolo Banchero (24.3 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 6.3 apg, 1.7 spg)
  • C – Wendell Carter Jr. (10.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.8 bpg)

Detroit Pistons:

  • PG – Cade Cunningham (32.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 6.3 apg, 1.0 spg)
  • SG – Duncan Robinson (10.3 ppg, 40.5 3P% on 7.0 3PA)
  • SF – Ausar Thompson (8.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.3 spg, 2.3 bpg)
  • PF – Tobias Harris (20.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.3 spg)
  • C – Jalen Duren (9.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg)

MAY 3, 2026 / 6:45 ET

Today’s injury report

ORL @ DET — Franz Wagner (calf) and Jonathan Isaac (knee) are both out for Orlando, while Kevin Huerter (adductor) is out for Detroit.

TOR @ CLE — Brandon Ingram (heel) and Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) are out for Toronto.

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