The Detroit Pistons routed the Orlando Magic 116-94 on Sunday to cap a remarkable NBA playoff comeback and book an Eastern Conference semi-final clash with Cleveland.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and handed out 12 assists and Tobias Harris added 30 points with nine rebounds as the Pistons, who trailed 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, wrapped up a 4-3 triumph.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In Cleveland, the Cavaliers weathered a hot start from Toronto to beat the Raptors 114-102 and secure a 4-3 win in a series in which the home team won every game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Pistons, who locked up the top seed in the East with the third-best record in the league, notched their first playoff series victory since 2008.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's great," Cunningham said after the Pistons became the 15th team to climb out of a 3-1 hole -- one day after the Philadelphia 76ers accomplished the feat against Boston.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We had a great regular season, we built a lot of momentum going into these playoffs," Cunningham said. "To lose in the first round would have really stung.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"To come back from 3-1, odds against us, and to come back and win it at home -- it feels good."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Detroit had already fended off elimination with victories in games five and six against the Magic -- erasing a 24-point deficit on Friday to force Sunday's decider.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It's the second time the Pistons have rallied from 3-1 down to top the Magic, having accomplished the feat in the first round in 2003.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"They really pushed us to the limit," Cunningham said. "We've grown a lot because of this series, because of that team."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Paolo Banchero scored 38 points with nine rebounds and six assists for Orlando but got precious little scoring support.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Banchero scored the Magic's first 11 points and Orlando emerged from a tight first quarter with a two-point lead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The back-and-forth action continued early in the second, Detroit finally creating some separation behind a 17-point second-quarter outburst from Harris.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They led 60-49 at halftime and pushed their lead to as many as 25, taking full advantage of 16 Magic turnovers that led to 19 Pistons points.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We're excited for what's to come," Cunningham said. "We want to win games, win series and (our) ultimate goal is a championship."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That quest continues with game one against Cleveland on Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
- Allen masterclass -<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Cavs, behind a masterclass from center Jarrett Allen, notched the franchise's fifth straight game-seven triumph as they vanquished the Raptors for the fourth time in four post-season meetings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cleveland erased an early 10-point deficit to go into halftime tied at 49-49 and opened the third quarter on a 9-0 scoring run.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They out-scored the Raptors 38-19 in the third, Allen scoring 14 of his 22 points and pulling down 10 of his 19 rebounds in the period.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I just wanted to show my teammates that we can win this game," said Allen, who added two steals and three blocked shots.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His dominance on the boards helped the Cavs win the rebounding battle 60-33.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Energy and effort, that's what I believe wins games," Allen said. "If you do it on the defensive end, everything translates to the offense.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Every single possession, it means a lot," he added of the game-seven intensity. "Every single possession means it could be the end of the season."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Donovan Mitchell added 22 points for Cleveland and emerged unscathed from his own energetic leap for a ball which landed him in the third row of Rocket Arena seats early in the third quarter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Veteran James Harden chipped in 18 points.<\/p>\r\n\r\n