What's happened
Cleveland has advanced to face Detroit in the East semifinals after overcoming Toronto, with Donovan Mitchell scoring 22 and James Harden contributing 18 as the Cavaliers won a decisive run in the third quarter.
What's behind the headline?
Key takeaways
- Cleveland has completed its series comeback as a road-friendly team, with a 49-21 third-quarter run turning the tide.
- The Cavaliers will be tested by a Pistons team that secured the top seed in the East and has home-court advantage to start the series.
- Mitchell’s 22 points and Harden’s 18 provide a veteran scoring punch, while Allen’s 10 rebounds helped stabilize the paint.
What this means
- The East semis will feature a clash between a resilient Cleveland squad and a Detroit squad that finished with the best regular-season record in the conference.
- Toronto’s season ends despite late-quarter surges, underscoring the Cavaliers’ ability to close out games on the road.
How we got here
Cleveland has earned the No. 4 seed in the East and will travel to Detroit for Game 1 of the second round, as the Cavaliers pulled away in the late third period after Toronto led for most of the first half.
Our analysis
The Japan Times reported Cleveland’s 94-72 surge in the fourth; NY Post’s Associated Press accounts detailed Mitchell’s 22 and Harden’s 18, plus the Cavaliers’ late run and Toronto’s 47-38 halftime lead. Both outlets note Cleveland’s 3-2 series lead prior to Game 6 and the impending matchup with Detroit.
Go deeper
- How will Cleveland adapt its lineup for Detroit’s home court?
- What’s the status of Brandon Ingram’s heel inflammation for upcoming rounds?
- Which Cavaliers players are most likely to step up in Detroit?
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