Cade Cunningham went for 32 and 12, Tobias Harris dropped 30, and the Pistons closed a series that looked dead a week ago. They became the 11th duo in NBA history to each go for 30+ in a Game 7, and Detroit finally exorcised the longest series-win drought of any team in the league.
The number was Detroit -8.5 with a total of 200.5, and the public was actually fading the home team — 67% of spread tickets came in on Orlando getting the points. The 22-point final blew right past that. Pinnacle had the Pistons at -308 to win outright; the price was the price.
Orlando walked into Game 7 already short. Franz Wagner was ruled out Saturday with a calf, Jonathan Isaac was out with a knee, and a team that had blown a 24-point lead in Game 6 — missing 23 straight field goals down the stretch — needed a road miracle without its second-best player. They didn't get one.
- OutJonathan Isaac F — Isaac (knee) is listed as out for Sunday's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Pistons.
- OutFranz Wagner F — Wagner (calf) has been ruled out for Game 7 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs Sunday against the Pistons, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
- OutKevin Huerter G — Huerter (thigh) is doubtful for Saturday's Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cavaliers.
Detroit was missing Kevin Huerter (adductor) but didn't need him. Cunningham has been the story of this series — 45 in Game 5 set a franchise postseason record, then 32 and 10 in the Game 6 elimination spot put him in the same elimination-game club as Isiah Thomas. He played like the best guy on the floor in Game 7 too, and Harris gave him a co-star night Detroit hasn't had in a decade.
For the Magic, this is a tough exit. Up 3-1, blew Game 6, then ran into a buzzsaw with no Wagner. For Detroit, it's the kind of series win franchises build around — Cunningham's first playoff round win, a real co-star moment from Harris, and the second round waiting.