Pistons force seventh game in Eastern Conference semifinals

Cade Cunningham (Google Images)

There will be a seventh game in the Eastern Conference semifinals. On Friday night, the Detroit Pistons clobbered the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-94 in game six to tie the best out of seven series at three games apiece.

It has been an interesting series to date. The home team won the first four games of the series. Then the Cavaliers won the fifth game of the series in Detroit, but were unable to close out the series in game six.

In Detroit’s game six victory, six Pistons reached double digits in scoring. Point guard Cade Cunningham of Arlington, Texas led the way with 21 points with center Paul Reed of Orlando, Florida second in scoring for Detroit with 17 points off the bench. Daniss Jenkins of Dallas, Texas and All-Star center Jalen Duren of Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania had 15 points each, shooting guard Duncan Robinson of York, Maine had 14 points in a sixth man role, while small forward Ausar Thompson of San Leandro, California had 10 points. Duren had the double-double as he had 11 rebounds.

An unsung hero for the Pistons on Friday was backup point guard Marcus Sasser of Dallas, Texas. He was an impressive +27 despite scoring only nine points.

The Pistons won every quarter. They outscored Cleveland 27-25 in the first quarter, 27-26 in the second quarter, 30-19 in the third quarter, and 31-24 in the fourth quarter.

In game six we also saw poor defensive play from Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley on the Cavaliers. Mitchell was a -25 and Mobley was a -24.

The series now shifts to Detroit. Game seven will be Sunday night in the Motor City. The winner will play the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.