The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers are clashing in the other Eastern Conference Semifinals. The top-seeded Detroit Pistons will take on the 4th seed Cleveland Cavaliers. Detroit and Cleveland are coming off a seven-game series against Orlando and Toronto. Detroit fell behind the Magic three games to one before mounting a comeback and winning the final three games. The Cavs were down three games to two before winning the final two games at home. The Detroit Pistons core group has gone through some losing times, but has turned things around over the last two seasons. Cleveland continues to try to build a championship contender with a great core. They acquired James Harden in hopes that he would lead them to that jump to title contender status. Who advances between Detroit and Cleveland to the Eastern Conference Finals?
Detroit Pistons
The ascension of the Detroit Pistons has been amazing over the past couple of years. A few years back, they were setting franchise records for losses. They broke through last season by earning a playoff berth. This season, they finished atop the Eastern Conference, and there were still nonbelievers. Despite their achievements, they were my fourth-ranked team that could be the NBA Finals from the Eastern Conference. Cade Cunningham is one of the best players in the league. Cunningham was an MVP candidate before going down with a collapsed lung. Tobias Harris has stepped up in the playoffs and scored 30 points in Game 7 against Orlando. Can the Pistons continue to take the next step and reach the Eastern Conference Finals? How will Jalen Duren handle the pressure from Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley?
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have the talent to be the best team in the Eastern Conference. At times, they can play like it, and there are times when they don’t. Donovan Mitchell has been one of the more clutch players in the league. Evan Mobley is a former Defensive Player of the Year who can also put up points on the offensive end. Jarrett Allen is also one of the better defenders in the league. Allen gave a speech to the game before Game 7 and then put up 22 points and 19 rebounds. The addition of James Harden gives them another ball handler who can also score at will. The Cavs have gotten contributions from the likes of Max Strus, Sam Merrill, and Jaylon Tyson. Can the Cavs put it all together and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals?
Who Wins the Series and In How Many Games?
By record, the Detroit Pistons have been the best team in the Eastern Conference this season. On paper, the Cleveland Cavaliers should be a championship contender. Donovan Mitchell is still one of the more explosive guards in the league. In Year 17, James Harden is still playing at a high level. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are elite defenders. The Cavs have a great bench with the likes of Max Strus, Sam Merrill, and Jaylon Tyson. Can they put it all together and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals? Cade Cunningham averaged over 32 points per game in the first round against Orlando. Tobias Harris chipped in a little under 22 per game. The Pistons will need more out of the likes of Duncan Robinson and Ausar Thompson if they’re going to prevail. I’m picking this series to go around six games with the Cleveland Cavs winning.
Cleveland Cavaliers Win Series 4-2
