3 Ways the Cavs can beat Detroit in round two

3 Ways the Cavs can beat Detroit in round two

CLEVELAND, OHIO – MARCH 03: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons guards James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Rocket Arena on March 03, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 113-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The stage is set for round two of the NBA Playoffs. Here are three ways the Cleveland Cavaliers can ensure victory over the 60-win Detroit Pistons.

1. Shrink the floor

The Raptors and Pistons share a similar offensive profile. Neither team loves to shoot three-pointers, primarily because they aren’t very good at it. They’d prefer to score from the mid-range or attack the basket — led almost entirely by one primary initiator (more on this later).

That means Cleveland’s defensive game plan will be similar to round one. Pack the paint, shrink the floor, and dare someone to beat you.

Toronto surprised most of us with its efficiency. They nailed 35.6% of their three-point attempts in round one, the fifth-best of any playoff team this year. But they also struggled to score for long stretches, often because the Cavs declined to pay them any respect behind the arch. Shrinking the floor makes it really hard to score if you don’t have the personnel to shoot with volume.

That’s why the Raptors took the third fewest three-point attempts per game in round one, despite shooting better than anyone expected. They just didn’t have guys who could launch ‘em.

Neither do the Pistons… mostly.

Detroit has some weapons that the Cavs will have to monitor. Duncan Robinson can burn you. Tobias Harris is capable of big games. Even Cunningham shot near 40% from deep in round one. But truthfully, perimeter shooting is a weakness that the Cavs can exploit.

The Pistons shot the second-fewest three-pointers in round one and converted on the fifth-worst percentage. Harris, Dannis Jankins, Caris LeVert, and Javonte Green all shot below 30% from downtown. Thompson only attempted one three-pointer, which he missed. Neither big man in Detroit is likely to push their luck from deep either.

I’d expect the Cavs to totally ignore Thompson, and to dare everyone other than Harris, Cunningham, and Robinson to make them pay. I’d also expect the Cavs to win that gamble, given that the Pistons ranked 20th in three-point accuracy during the regular season — even worse than Toronto (18th).

2. Put it all on Cade Cunningham

Both the Cavs and Pistons battled to the end in round one. A seven-game series can be draining. More so, if you’re the one carrying the entire team on your back.

This isn’t to discredit Harris, who showed up big in Game 7 for Detroit, but let’s be real… Cunningham’s usage was through the roof during that series. He posted an absurd usage rate of 37%, matching Joel Embiid for the highest load in round one.

For comparison, Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with a usage rate of 30%.

Carrying that much weight will wear anyone down. The deeper you go into the playoffs, the more of a toll it takes. Cunningham averaged 32 points on 22 shots per game in the first round. He’ll be asked to do something similar versus Cleveland. That’s a benefit for the Cavs.

The more pressure you can put on Cade to win this series on his own, the better. That means the Cavs will do everything in their power to limit Detroit’s supporting cast. The weight could be unbearable if Cleveland keeps a lid on the Pistons’ role players.

The Cavs are well-equipped to make Cunningham work. Dean Wade just had a phenomenal defensive series, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen will no doubt pack the paint and contest every drive. Even Max Strus and Sam Merrill have shown they can ramp up the intensity — while Jaylon Tyson is more than ready to be physical with Cunningham.

Cunningham averaged 18.5 points on just 34% shooting against the Cavs in four games this season. I’m sure he’ll be better than that in this series. But it shows the Cavs can give him problems offensively.

On the other end, Cleveland would be mistaken not to include Cunningham in as many screening actions as possible. He’s already being tasked with too much offensive responsibility, so the more they can challenge him defensively, the more exhausted he’ll become.

3. Attack mismatches

Not having to worry about Scottie Barnes will be nice.

Seriously, Barnes delivered one of the better defensive performances I can remember. It felt like he was everywhere, using his length, athleticism, and seemingly never-ending motor to disrupt everything Cleveland wanted to do. The backcourt struggled primarily because Barnes, along with Jamal Shead, RJ Barrett, Ja’kobe Walter, and Collin Murray-Boyles, made them struggle.

Can Detroit replicate any of that?

Some things are certain. The Pistons will try to muck things up by using Thompson on one of Donovan Mitchell or James Harden. He’ll pressure them up the floor and deny the ball whenever possible. Other Pistons will attempt to do the same.

But that’s where Cleveland starts to gain advantages.

The Raptors were loaded with length and athleticism on the wing. No matter who the Cavs brought into the action, Toronto was able to switch and swarm the ball with their wings. The Pistons — while a better defensive team — are arguably a better matchup for the Cavs from this perspective.

Thompson is a great defender. But Duncan Robinson is not. The Cavalier backcourt will feel significantly more comfortable attacking Robinson than anyone on the Raptors roster outside of Jakob Poeltl.

This extends down Detroit’s rotation. Harris is a fine defender, but I don’t see him matching Mitchell’s speed like any of Toronto’s best defenders. Duren isn’t as mobile as CMB. Jankins shouldn’t be as disruptive as Jamal Shead. Kevin Huerter might not even get on the floor, and if he does, could promptly be played off it.

That’s kind of a big deal.

The playoffs are matchup-dependent. You are only as strong as your weakest link. The Raptors’ baseline of having no bad defenders made it an eternal struggle for the Cavs offense to get rolling. But Detroit’s weak points will be tested at every available opportunity.

If that happens, Mitchell might remind us of why he’s become a perennial All-NBA player at this stage of his career.

by Editor

J.B. Bickerstaff, Pistons Sign Contract Extension

J.B. Bickerstaff, Pistons Sign Contract Extension

J.B. Bickerstaff and the Detroit Pistons have signed a contract extension. The announcement comes less than 24 hours after the Pistons advanced out of the first round with their Game 7 win over the Orlando Magic.

Bickerstaff has helped guide the Pistons to a remarkable franchise turnaround after taking over for Monty Williams in 2024. Bickerstaff is a finalist for Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.

The Pistons finished the regular season as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Bickerstaff will now face his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the second round.

by Editor

Pistons sign head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to contract extension after first-round playoff win over Magic

Pistons sign head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to contract extension after first-round playoff win over Magic

The Detroit Pistons have signed head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to a contract extension.

The Pistons announced the transaction on Monday, a day after the Pistons won Game 7 against the Orlando Magic to advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs. Terms of the deal were not announced.

Bickerstaff has overseen a turnaround in Detroit that produced the best record in the Eastern Conference this season. With Sunday’s win, the Pistons have advanced out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Bickerstaff joined the Pistons for the 2024-25 seasons on the heels of a 14-68 campaign in Detroit that produced the worst record in the NBA. In Bickerstaff’s first season, the Pistons improved by 30 wins to 44-38 and clinched a playoff spot. They improved to 60-22 this season and will now face the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs as the East’s No. 1 seed.

This story will be updated.

by Editor

Minnesota Timberwolves vs San Antonio Spurs series preview, prediction: Can Wolves slow Wemby?

Minnesota Timberwolves vs San Antonio Spurs series preview, prediction: Can Wolves slow Wemby?

All season long, the San Antonio Spurs showed they were a team far ahead of everyone else’s timeline — they were a contender now, not in a year or three. San Antonio won 62 games and was the No. 2 seed in the West.

All season long, Minnesota almost looked bored. We’d see flashes of the team that made it to two straight Western Conference Finals, but we’d see ugly losses (or just flat games) on other nights. It looked like a team waiting for the games to get serious. When the games did get serious in the first round of the playoffs, the Timberwolves showed not just their talent but real heart to overcome injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, and they beat the Nuggets.

Can Minnesota repeat that formula, or is San Antonio just too deep and too good? Here’s what you need to know heading into this Western Conference Semifinals matchup.

When does the Timberwolves vs. Spurs begin?

Game 1 between Minnesota and San Antonio is on Monday, May 4, and you can watch it on Peacock. The series continues every other day until Game 6, there are a couple days off before that game.

Minnesota vs. San Antonio Playoffs Schedule 2026

All times are Eastern (* = if necessary).
Game 1: Monday, May 4 (9:30 ET, Peacock/NBCSN)
Game 2: Wednesday, May 6 (9:30 ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Friday, May 8 (9:30 ET, Prime Video)
Game 4: Sunday, May 10 (7:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Game 5: May 12* (TBD)
Game 6: May 15* (TBD)
Game 7: May 17* (TBD)

Player to watch: Rudy Gobert

Victor Wembanyama considers Rudy Gobert, a fellow French center, a mentor.

“He’s played a huge role in my journey, has been a role model, has inspired me in so many ways that should actually inspire more people, especially when it comes to the care given to the body, which is an example for all big men,” Wembanyama said this week.

However, this is Wembanyama we’re talking about, so he wants more information and details than anyone else.

“A few weeks ago he asked me what kind of filter I had in my house for water,” Gobert said. “It just tells you how his mind is. I try to talk to the young guys here about the food they eat and stuff like that. But I don’t get those type of questions.”

Gobert was the reason the Timberwolves upset the Nuggets in the first round, thanks to his spectacular defense on Nikola Jokic. It’s not that the three-time MVP didn’t get his, but he had to work for every bucket, every inch of court, and it wore him down. It was the key to the series.

Now Gobert has to find a way to be physical and do the same thing to Wembanyama, but it may not be as easy. In part because this will not be a straight matchup — Gobert will not be one Wembanyama much of the time (look for him to be on Stephon Castle, that is what Portland did with its big Donovan Clingan).

Gobert on Wemby is tough because Wemby’s game is more fluid, he’s got better handles and a better 3-point shot, and his role in the San Antonio offense, while central, is not the same. The Nuggets play through Jokic, that’s the case in San Antonio, where Wembanyama can be off the ball and they use his gravity as a shooter to create driving lanes.

Gobert will get his time on Wembanyama (as will Julius Randle), and he needs to be physical and wear his mentee down. It’s just a lot easier said than done.

Keys to watch for in Minnesota vs. San Antonio

If/When does Anthony Edwards return?

Anthony Edwards reportedly told his teammates he will be back in this series from the ugly knee hyperextension and bone bruise he suffered in Game 4 against the Nuggets. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Edwards did a little on-court work, and there is some hope he could be back for “potentially Game 3 or Game 4 at the earliest.”

All Minnesota is saying is that Edwards remains week -to-week. If Edwards does return, what version of him do we see? 80% 90%

Edwards dropped 55 points on the Spurs in a matchup this season (a game San Antonio still won), which leads into the next issue…

How can Minnesota score enough to win?

Jaden McDaniels may want to hold back from saying the Spurs are “all bad defenders,” as he did when talking about the Nuggets. San Antonio is an entirely different thing.

It’s not just Wembanyama protecting the rim, although he is the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year who completely changes the geometry of the court. It’s that he is surrounded by quality defenders on the perimeter: Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, De’Aaron Fox, Julian Champagnie, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and on down the list, the Spurs don’t roll out a bad defender.

A fully healthy Timberwolves team with Edwards driving and creating, plus DiVincenzo knocking down 3s, could put up points on the Spurs and make this a series. As it is now, Minnesota needs a massive series from Julius Randle plus some other guys to step up — Ayo Dosunmu, if he’s healthy — to have any chance.

Minnesota also must rely on its defense, which was fantastic against the Nuggets, holding them to 13 points below their league-leading regular-season average. San Antonio has more shot creators and ball handlers, but Minnesota has a great defense and experience. Is that enough?

Prediction: Spurs in 5

The Edwards injury makes this a challenging prediction, if he were fully healthy I’d say Spurs in 7. However, without him to at least start the series — and we don’t know what version of Edwards we get if and when he does return — it just changes the equation.

San Antonio is just a tougher matchup for Minnesota, especially a shorthanded Timberwolves team.

by Editor

Anthony Edwards Could Return By Game 3 Or 4 Versus Spurs

Anthony Edwards Could Return By Game 3 Or 4 Versus Spurs

There is “growing optimism” that Anthony Edwards could return to the Minnesota Timberwolves lineup by Game 3 or 4 against the San Antonio Spurs, sources told Shams Charania of ESPN.

Edwards, who suffered a bone bruise in his left knee during Game 4 of the first round, will miss the first couple games of the series.

Edwards suffered the injury on April 25. With a 1-2 week recovery timeline, Game 3 of the series will take place Friday. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday.

Edwards worked out both Saturday and Sunday before traveling with the team to San Antonio.

The Wolves prefer to remain cautious with Edwards, who has been struggling with inflammation in his right knee over the past month.

by Editor

Anthony Edwards reportedly could return to Timberwolves for Game 3 or 4 against Spurs 'at the earliest'

Anthony Edwards reportedly could return to Timberwolves for Game 3 or 4 against Spurs 'at the earliest'

The Minnesota Timberwolves survived and advanced past the Denver Nuggets despite Anthony Edwards missing two-plus games of their first-round playoff series with a bone bruise in his left knee.

Up next is a second-round playoff matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in which the Timberwolves are expected to need Edwards to have a reasonable chance of pulling off an upset. Per a report on Sunday, there’s a chance that Edwards could return to the Timberwolves’ lineup when the series shifts back to Minnesota.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on “NBA Tip-Off” that Edwards traveled with the team to San Antonio, where the series will tip off with Game 1 Monday. Edwards has returned to light workouts, but isn’t expected to play in Games 1 or 2, per the report.

But Charania reports that Edwards is “hopeful that he could push to be back in the lineup potentially for Game 3 or Game 4 at the earliest.” Game 3 is scheduled for Friday in Minnesota. Game 4 will take place next Sunday.

Charania also noted that “Minnesota is going to be conservative” in bringing Edwards back due in part to inflammation in his right knee that sidelined him for the stretch run of the regular season.

But the prospect of Edwards returning in time to impact the series is certainly good news for the Timberwolves, especially considering the initial scare around his injury. Edwards hyper-extended his left knee in Game 4, prompting initial fears that he’d sustained a long-term injury.

The bone bruise sidelined him for Games 5 and 6 as the Timberwolves closed out the series without him, but he avoided more serious ligament damage. And now, with a spot in the Western Conference finals at stake, there’s hope in Minnesota that Edwards could return to take on the Spurs.

Edwards made his fourth straight All-Star team the season and averaged a career-high 28.8 points, alongside 5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He also posted career highs while shooting 48.9% from the field and 39.9% on 8.4 3-point attempts per game.

by Editor

Magic vs Pistons Prediction, Picks & Odds for NBA Playoffs Game 7

Magic vs Pistons Prediction, Picks & Odds for NBA Playoffs Game 7

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After falling behind 3-1 in the first-round series against the Orlando Magic, the Detroit Pistons have forced a Game 7, and they’ll look to complete an improbable comeback in front of the home crowd.

Cade Cunningham has put Detroit on his back throughout the series, and my Magic vs. Pistons predictions expect him to have another monster performance as he leads his team to victory.

Here are my best free NBA picks for Sunday’s winner-take-all Game 7 at Little Caesars Arena.

Magic vs Pistons prediction

Magic vs Pistons best bet: Cade Cunningham Over 44.5 points + rebounds + assists (-120)

Cade Cunningham was tremendous in the regular season, but as good as he was through those 64 games, he’s elevated his play to another level in the postseason.

Cunningham has averaged 32.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists in the series, good for 45.3 PRA. He’s averaged 48.7 at home compared to 42 on the road. He recorded 45+ PRA in two of three home playoff games, going for exactly 44 in the other.

The Detroit Pistons star point guard averaged an eye-popping 32.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 10.7 assists in three regular-season matchups with Orlando, comfortably clearing the Over on this combo prop in each game. He averaged 54.5 PRA in two at home in the regular season.

In the playoffs, Cunningham ranks second in points per game, first in field goal attempts, third in free throw attempts and fourth in minutes. His 23 field goal attempts are up from 18.6 in the regular season. His free throws have increased from six per game to 10.7, and his minutes have shot up from 33.9 to 40.5.

Cunningham leads all players in postseason usage at 35.3%. He comfortably leads his team in that category, with Tobias Harris coming in second at just 24.8.

The Pistons go as far as Cade takes them, and the team will need him to stuff the stat sheet in order to complete the series comeback and avoid an upset by the No. 8 seed. I’m expecting a huge game for the breakout playoff star.

Magic vs Pistons same-game parlay

The Orlando Magic have outplayed the Pistons for most of the series, but the psychological aspect of competition comes into play here.

The Magic were up 22 points at halftime in front of the home crowd before suffering an historic meltdown and blowing its chances to complete the upset and advance to the second round.

The Pistons were clearly feeling themselves at the end of Game 6, and they’ve got swagger and momentum to go with home court advantage. Orlando has got to be reeling, and I’ll bet on Detroit to win this one by double digits.

Scoring has come at a major premium in this series, and the Game Total Under has hit in four of six matchups. The Game Total has gone Under 203.5 in three of six, including two of the last three.

Both teams failed to record 100 points three times in the series, and I’ll take the Under in what should be a gritty, physical dog fight.

Magic vs Pistons SGP

  • Cade Cunningham Over 44.5 points + rebounds + assists
  • Magic -9
  • Under 203

Magic vs Pistons odds for Game 7

  • Spread: Orlando +9 | Detroit -9
  • Moneyline: Orlando +290 | Detroit -370
  • Over/Under: Over 203 | Under 203

Magic vs Pistons betting trend to know

The Orlando Magic have hit the Game Total Under in five of their last six road games. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Pistons.

How to watch Magic vs Pistons Game 7

Location Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date Sunday, May 3, 2026
Tip-off 3:30 p.m. ET
TV ABC

Magic vs Pistons latest injuries

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by Editor

After early exit from playoffs, what's next for Rockets? Stand pat? Chase another star?

After early exit from playoffs, what's next for Rockets? Stand pat? Chase another star?

Game 6 for Houston — Friday night’s 20-point loss that saw them eliminated from the playoffs — felt like a microcosm of the Rockets’ entire season.

Star players were on the bench in street clothes. Houston lacked shooting or consistent shot creation from their young core — their offense got stagnant. Without Steven Adams, they lacked the offensive rebounding power to cover that up. While the defense remained impressive — the Lakers didn’t score in triple-digits and had just a 106 offensive rating — if Houston wasn’t creating turnovers and converting them into transition buckets, its offense struggled.

Houston was a team that looked better on paper than it did on the court for most of the season. Which begs the question:

Now what?

Stand pat, bank on better health and improved play from their young core, and hope that is enough? Even if things go much better, is that enough in a Western Conference with Oklahoma City and San Antonio? And where does Kevin Durant fit into all of this?

Or, there is another option.

Rockets may go star hunting

With that young talent and a lot of draft picks, the Rockets could make an impressive pitch for Giannis Antetokounmpo or any other star players who become available (Kawhi Leonard and Donovan Mitchell are popular targets of speculation). A lot of people around the league expect the Rockets to push their chips in and try to maximize their window with Durant, William Guillory and Sam Amick at The Athletic report.

Should Houston prioritize chasing the limited window that comes with a 37-year-old superstar, even if it means chipping away at these young players that they’ve built up over the past few seasons? If the Rockets decide to chase another star-level talent this summer — like so many rival executives believe they will — they are well positioned to do so. But whether it’s chasing Antetokounmpo, or perhaps Leonard or Mitchell, that approach runs the risk of backfiring if they come up short while sending the wrong kinds of signals to this current core.

Any trade for another star likely involved Alperen Sengun going out, both because of his potential — he’s a two-time All-Star — and his contract, which would be needed to match the money (Sengun is in the first year of a $185 million, five-year deal). Houston also has a lot of draft picks they can throw in the mix.

That star would have to pair well with Durant, who signed a two-year, $90 million extension with the team last summer and has said he wants to end his career in Houston. He’s not going anywhere unless he asks out, despite the reported friction with teammates about his X burner accounts.

Just getting healthy

Houston’s loss of Fred VanVleet to a torn ACL during a September players mini-camp changed the Rockets season. He was the secondary shot creator and the veteran floor general this team sorely lacked — something that was very evident during the playoff series with the Lakers. Adams was another big loss because of his offensive rebounding, pick setting and presence in the paint.

Then there was Durant. He had been incredibly healthy all season, playing in 78 games and more total minutes than he had since 2013-14. However, he banged knees with a teammate in practice before Game 1 and had to sit that one out, then rolled his ankle in Game 2 and suffered a bone bruise. He played in just one of the six games in the series, and it was another big blow to the Houston offense.

What if those veterans all come back next season healthy, while the young core with Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard all take a step forward? Is that enough? This team amassed 52 wins and finished fifth in the Western Conference despite all the injuries.

One person who is expected back is coach Ime Udoka, according to The Athletic.

While Udoka will certainly be under fire for the part he played in the collapse, he signed a lucrative multiyear extension last summer that most league observers believe should shield him from being fired. The third-year Rockets coach is still considered one of the NBA’s elite defensive coaches, with this latest version of his team still finishing sixth in defensive rating despite losing their most impactful defender, Dillon Brooks, in the Durant deal (they were fifth last season).

Does management force Udoka to take on an “offensive coordinator” assistant coach? Maybe.

While a lot of options are on the table, expect the Rockets to be bold this summer. They already spent big and went all-in with Kevin Durant, this is no time to start playing it safe.

by Editor

Magic's Franz Wagner out for Game 7 showdown with Pistons, missing 3rd straight game with calf strain

Magic's Franz Wagner out for Game 7 showdown with Pistons, missing 3rd straight game with calf strain

The Orlando Magic will not have Franz Wagner available for Sunday’s Game 7 matchup versus the Detroit Pistons. The fifth-year forward is listed as out on the latest NBA injury report with a strained right calf.

Wagner, 24, will miss his third consecutive playoff game after suffering the calf injury late in Orlando’s Game 4 win over Detroit. He returned to the sideline to ride an exercise bike, but did not return to the game. An MRI exam the next day revealed the strain.

That 94-88 victory gave the Magic a 3-1 series lead and advancing to the second round seemed imminent. However, the Pistons have since come back to win the next two games, including Friday’s stunning Game 6 comeback in which Orlando squandered a 24-point lead and scored only 19 points in the second half.

Wagner was the Magic’s second-leading scorer during the regular season, averaging 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He also shot 35% on 3-pointers. But Wagner appeared in only 34 games due to a high-ankle sprain.

In the four playoff games he played before getting injured, Wagner has been Orlando’s third-leading scorer at 16.8 points per game, shooting 33% on 3s while also averaging 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals.

Would the Magic have already closed out this series if Wagner had been available? In his place, Jamal Cain scored three points and Tristan da Silva added 10 off the bench in Gam e 6

It’s certainly possible Wagner would have shot as poorly as his teammates (35% from the floor). Paolo Banchero hit four of his 20 shots, Desmond Bane shot 7-of-18 and Jalen Suggs went 1-for-10.

Orlando’s season is at stake, but Wagner’s absence indicates how seriously calf injuries are currently viewed in the NBA. Teams have taken extra caution with treatment and recovery, especially when calf injuries have often developed into season-ending Achilles injuries.

The Magic and Pistons tip off for Sunday’s Game 7 from Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena at 3:30 p.m. ET.

by Editor

Celtics, 76ers will add to their long playoff history with a Game 7 matchup in Boston

Celtics, 76ers will add to their long playoff history with a Game 7 matchup in Boston

BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics appeared to be skipping toward the second round of the NBA playoffs following a 32-point road win in Game 4 at Philadelphia.

But back-to-back convincing wins by the 76ers in Game 5 and Game 6 have left a Boston team that once looked like a favorite to emerge from the Eastern Conference on the brink of an epic collapse.

A loss in Saturday’s Game 7 would be the No. 2 seed Celtics’ earliest exit from the playoffs since the 2020-21 season.

They may have to do it with star Jayson Tatum dealing with a new ailment after he briefly left Game 6 in the third quarter for unspecified treatment to an apparent left calf injury. Tatum, of course, is just 22 games into his return from the torn right Achilles tendon injury he suffered in last season’s playoffs.

The Celtics downplayed the current situation, with Tatum saying afterward that his leg was only feeling “a little stiff.” He said following a quick assessment and some time on the exercise bike he didn’t return because the game was out of hand and the starters had already been pulled.

Coach Joe Mazzulla said there was no injury at all and reiterated that in a conference call Friday.

“He’ll play,” Mazzulla said.

The recent history for winner-takes-all games for Philadelphia teams isn’t exactly on the 76ers side, though.

The Flyers’ return to the NHL playoffs served as a reminder they are the last Philadelphia sports team to win a Game 7, beating, yes, Boston, in the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinal.

Since then, the 76ers in 2012, 2019, 2021 and 2023 have all lost Game 7s; the Flyers lost one in 2014 and 2020; and the Phillies lost Game 7 of the NLCS in 2023.

The Phillies also lost a decisive Game 5 in the 2011 playoffs.

The Celtics have long had the Sixers’ number in the playoffs, winning the last six series. The 76ers last eliminated the Celtics in the 1982 Eastern Conference semis.

“I’ve been playing these guys for so long,” 76ers star Joel Embiid said. “I’m tired of losing to them. We have a chance to accomplish something special.”

Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics

When/Where to watch: Game 7, 7:30 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)

Series: Series tied 3-3

Betting line: Celtics by 7.5

What to Know: The Celtics are 27-10 all-time in Game 7s, the 76ers are 6-12 in such games and are 0-4 in them since 2001. It’ll be the ninth Game 7 between these two franchises, with Boston going 6-2 in the previous ones. Philadelphia is the 37th team in league history to force a Game 7 after trailing 3-1. Only 13 teams have overcome that deficit and won the series. If Boston is going to prevent the 76ers from becoming the 14th, its shooting must improve. The 76ers have held the NBA’s No. 2 rated offense during the regular season to under 100 points per game in back-to-back games. The Celtics also combined to shoot just 30.5% (22/72) from 3-point range, with 11 makes in each of those games. They led the league in the regular season, averaging 16 3s per game.

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AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston contributed.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

by Editor