After three wins apiece, the all-important Game 7 will be played between the Cavaliers and Pistons on Monday (AEST), as the winner books an Eastern Conference Finals spot. Tip off will be shortly after 10am. Here is our best bet for the game!
NBA Playoffs Betting Tips: Monday, May 18th 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons (10:00am AEST)
The series is tied 3-3 as the Detroit Pistons get set to host the Cleveland Cavaliers in an elimination game for both teams. Awaiting the winner is the red-hot New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
It was a second-half domination from the Pistons in Game 6, as they ran away 115-94 victors. All-star center Jalen Duren turned up ready to play, scoring 15 points on 7-10 shooting, grabbing 11 rebounds, and blocking three shots. Once again, backup big man Paul Reed was excellent in limited minutes, scoring a quick 17 points in 16 minutes of play. In the past two games, when guard Marcus Sasser has entered the game, Detroit has outplayed Cleveland, including a whopping +27 points when Sasser was on the court for his 18 minutes – he scored nine himself on 4-5 shooting.
Game 7s at home are a huge advantage, which bodes well for the Pistons. Little Caesars Arena will be loud, led by public address announcer John Mason, who is one of the most iconic voices in NBA history. Once he introduces star player Cade Cunningham, the home crowd might lift the roof off the stadium!
Cunningham will be keen to bounce back after a mediocre Game 6, finishing with 21 points on 7-19 shooting from the field. He also only attempted two free-throws, well below his series average. If he can be aggressive driving to the rim, he is more likely to draw contact and get to the line.
The Cavaliers were thoroughly outplayed in Game 6, shooting 39% from the field compared to 52% from the Pistons. They scored just 26 points in the paint which is abysmal. So, expect them to take higher-percentage shots, with Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Donovan Mitchell looking to score more points within the paint.
This is a tantalising Game 7 matchup, and I am going to side with history – home teams win significantly more Game 7 matches. With the likes of Cunningham and Duren leading the way, supported by Ausar Thompson, who can do it at both ends of the floor, Daniss Jenkins who is playing with tremendous confidence, and good bench support from Reed, Sasser, Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert (both are questionable to play), the Pistons can advance.
Pistons -4.5
$1.92 (2 Units)
