Three Game 7s in East as Knicks Emerge as Conference Favorites

Key facts

• Three Eastern Conference series have reached Game 7: Pistons vs. Magic, Cavaliers vs. Raptors, and 76ers vs. Celtics.
• This is the most Game 7s in a single first round since 2014, when five series went the distance.
• The Pistons, a 60-win No. 1 seed, host the Magic after Orlando blew a 24-point lead in Game 6.
• Cavaliers guard James Harden has lost his last three Game 7s, including a 7-point performance last year.
• Knicks have already advanced to Round 2 and are considered the team to beat in the East by multiple analysts.
• Home teams are 115-40 all-time in Game 7s, but a road team has won at least one Game 7 in each of the last 10 seasons.

A First Round for the Ages

The 2026 NBA playoffs have delivered an unexpectedly thrilling first round, with three Eastern Conference series — Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors, and Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers — all heading to Game 7. This marks the most Game 7s in a single first round since 2014, when five of eight series went the distance. By comparison, the entire 2025 postseason featured only four Game 7s. For the Pistons and Magic, the stakes are particularly high: Detroit is a 60-win No. 1 seed facing elimination at home, while Orlando must recover from a devastating collapse in Game 6, where they blew a 24-point lead in the second half. The Raptors and Cavaliers, meanwhile, bring contrasting narratives of youth versus experience, with Toronto’s gritty defense challenging Cleveland’s star-powered lineup.

Pistons-Magic: A Collapse and a Chance at Redemption

The Magic’s Game 6 loss in Orlando was historic in its futility: they went 4 for 37 from the field in the second half, a stretch of 45 minutes without a field goal. That collapse has left the team shell-shocked, with doubts about the availability of forward Franz Wagner. The Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham, have the home crowd at Little Caesars Arena and the weight of history on their side: only six No. 1 seeds have lost a first-round series in NBA history. Analysts overwhelmingly favor Detroit. One writer noted that Cunningham’s play has drawn increased defensive attention, opening up the Pistons’ offense. Another pointed to the Detroit fan base’s hunger for a win, predicting a more assertive version of the Pistons. Yet the series has been a rock fight, with both teams suffering identity crises every other quarter, leaving room for an upset.

Cavaliers-Raptors: Experience vs. Youth

The Cavaliers host the Raptors in a Game 7 that pits Cleveland’s veteran core against Toronto’s young, physical defense. James Harden, who has lost his last three Game 7s — including a 7-point dud against Denver last year and a 9-point effort against Boston in 2023 — carries a heavy narrative burden. But the Cavs have Donovan Mitchell to share the load, and they are at home, where home teams have historically won 74% of Game 7s. Toronto, led by Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, has been a revelation, playing without injured star Brandon Ingram. Coach Darko Rajaković has prepared his team to double-team Harden and Mitchell, disrupting their rhythm. One analyst praised Barnes as a “revelation” but noted that Cleveland’s talent advantage should prevail if they harness their effort for one game. Another countered that Toronto’s youth and defense could exploit the Cavs’ history of faltering under adversity.

76ers Eliminate Celtics; Knicks Wait in Round 2

The Philadelphia 76ers eliminated the Boston Celtics in Game 7 on Saturday, setting up a second-round matchup with the New York Knicks, who have already advanced. The Knicks have emerged as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, according to multiple analysts. Their depth and flexibility have been on display: they can shift from a Jalen Brunson-centric offense to one that features Karl-Anthony Towns, and they have the wing defenders and bigs to match up with any remaining opponent. One writer cited recency bias but emphasized that the top seeds have shown inconsistencies and lapses throughout the first round. The Knicks, by contrast, have demonstrated an ability to adapt their game plan, a key advantage as the playoffs progress.

The Numbers Behind Game 7 History

There have been 155 Game 7s in NBA postseason history. Home teams hold a 115-40 record (.742), but at least one road team has won a Game 7 in each of the last 10 seasons. The Celtics have played in the most Game 7s (37) and won the most (27). Jayson Tatum holds the all-time single-game scoring record in a Game 7 with 51 points, set against the 76ers in 2023. The schedule for this weekend’s games: Saturday’s Sixers-Celtics game at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, followed by Sunday’s Magic-Pistons at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC and Raptors-Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

A Familiar Rivalry Rekindled

The Cavaliers and Raptors have a playoff history dating back to 2016-18, when LeBron James-led Cleveland faced Toronto in three consecutive postseasons. The Cavs won in six games in the 2016 second round, then swept the Raptors in the first round in 2017 and 2018. James was so dominant that ESPN’s Mark Jones famously declared Toronto should be renamed “LeBronto.” Now, without James, the Raptors have a chance to rewrite that narrative, though they face a different Cavaliers squad built around Harden and Mitchell.

What Comes Next: Stakes and Open Questions

The winners of these three Game 7s will join the Knicks in the second round, with matchups yet to be determined. For the Pistons, avoiding the ignominy of becoming the seventh No. 1 seed to lose in the first round is paramount. For the Cavaliers, Harden’s Game 7 struggles loom large, but Mitchell provides a counterbalance. The Raptors, meanwhile, have already exceeded expectations and play with nothing to lose. One analyst summarized the uncertainty: “I have the confidence of a kindergartener tying their shoes on the first day of school.” The first round has proven that predictions are fragile, and the second round promises more drama.

The bottom line

• Three Eastern Conference series have gone to Game 7, the most in a first round since 2014.
• The Pistons, a 60-win No. 1 seed, face the Magic after Orlando’s historic second-half collapse in Game 6.
• James Harden’s Game 7 struggles (0-3 in his last three) add pressure on the Cavaliers against a gritty Raptors team.
• The Knicks have already advanced and are considered the favorites in the East due to their depth and adaptability.
• Home teams have a strong historical advantage in Game 7s, but a road team has won at least one each of the last 10 years.
• The Cavaliers and Raptors renew a playoff rivalry from the LeBron James era, now with different rosters.