Cunningham’s 21 lead Pistons past Cavs 115-94; Game 7 set

Friday, May 15, 2026Confirmed

Sports Desk

What we know

Cade Cunningham scored 21 points and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons dominated the second half to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-94 on Friday night in Cleveland, forcing a Game 7 in their Eastern Conference second-round series, AP, ESPN, CBS Sports and NBC Sports reported.

The series is tied 3-3 with the decisive game Sunday in Detroit. Jalen Duren had 15 points and 11 rebounds, Daniss Jenkins scored 15, and Detroit's bench outscored Cleveland's 48-19. James Harden led the Cavaliers with 23 points; Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley scored 18 apiece in Cleveland's first home loss of the postseason. The 21-point margin tied a 66-year-old NBA playoff mark for the largest Game 6 road win by a team trailing 3-2 in a series.

What's confirmed

AP: Cunningham 21; Pistons 115-94; Game 7 Sunday in Detroit; record-tying Game 6 road blowout (AP).
ESPN: Same final and series state; Pistons have won four elimination games this postseason (ESPN).
CBS Sports: Cunningham five threes; Detroit 16-of-36 from deep in the closeout-forcing win (CBS).
NBC Sports: Pistons owned the paint 48-29 and held Cleveland to 38.5% shooting (NBC Sports).
NBA.com: Official game page confirms Friday, May 15 final and series tied 3-3 (NBA.com).

What's still developing

Whether Detroit's physical defense travels into a hostile-turned-home Game 7 atmosphere Sunday.
Cleveland's adjustments after 20 turnovers and a collapsed second half.
Health and rotation decisions for both benches after a short turnaround.

Sources

AP — Cade Cunningham scores 21 and Pistons dominate 2nd half to beat Cavs 115-94 and force Game 7 link
ESPN — Pistons 115-94 Cavaliers Game 6 recap link
CBS Sports — Cade Cunningham scores 21 and Pistons dominate 2nd half to beat Cavs 115-94 and force Game 7 link
NBC Sports — Detroit's defense, physicality and Cade Cunningham too much for Cleveland, Pistons win to force Game 7 link
NBA.com — Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 6 summary link