The primary spherical of the 2026 NBA playoffs has supplied slightly little bit of every thing: a sweep, upsets, thrilling finishes and historic comebacks.
And for simply the second time because the spherical went to best-of-7 in 2003, it has supplied three Recreation 7s. (The 2014 playoffs’ opening spherical had 5.)
This yr, all of the motion is within the East. The Philadelphia 76ers knocked out the Boston Celtics in Recreation 7 of their sequence Saturday night time and can play the New York Knicks within the second spherical. Sunday’s Recreation 7 showdowns between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors will resolve the opposite convention semifinal matchup.
What drama will these Recreation 7s present? NBA insiders Jamal Collier, Zach Kram and Ohm Youngmisuk study the keys to every sequence finale and what every staff should do to advance.
Recreation 7 information
Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
ESPN Analytics: CLE 60.1%
The Raptors win in the event that they _____.
Flip Recreation 7 right into a defensive battle. Toronto has prided itself on taking part in more durable than Cleveland for many of this sequence, creating turnovers, diving for free balls and successful with protection to shut the expertise hole. Toronto has gained quite a lot of confidence because the sequence has continued, its younger gamers have settled in and its defensive depth has elevated. The Raptors will enter a Recreation 7 on the highway, the place all of the stress shifts to the house staff. — Collier
The Cavaliers win in the event that they _____.
Restrict Toronto’s transition baskets. When Cleveland has prevented turnovers and prevented Toronto from racking up factors in transition, the Raptors’ offense has stalled. The Cavs had just one turnover throughout their fourth-quarter rally in Recreation 6, and it was almost sufficient to clinch the sequence.
The Cavs want extra from star guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden on offense, however the backcourt’s protection has principally held the Raptors in test within the half courtroom. If the Cavs can cease freely giving simple baskets, they need to safe one other win at dwelling to advance. — Collier
The X issue of Recreation 7 is _____.
Harden. His playoff observe file isn’t any secret, however the numbers are gorgeous nonetheless: In seven profession Recreation 7s, Harden has averaged simply 19.3 factors on 35% taking pictures, together with 22% on 3-pointers. He turned in a robust efficiency in his first profession Recreation 7 — in 2011 with Oklahoma Metropolis — however has shot 41% or worse in each one since.
Harden’s season has resulted in a Recreation 7 in three of the previous 5 seasons; in 2023 and 2025, he failed to succeed in double digits in factors.
Cleveland wants a greater model of its level guard in opposition to Toronto’s stifling protection. Notably, Harden has scored greater than 20 factors in each win in opposition to the Raptors on this sequence, however he has been beneath 20 in each loss. — Kram
Recreation 7 information
Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
ESPN Analytics: DET 78.9%
The Magic win in the event that they _____.
Ship the primary punch to Detroit with physicality on protection and within the paint. The blueprint to steal Recreation 7 in Detroit is there for Orlando.
They stole Recreation 1 with that method. Jalen Suggs began that sport flying across the courtroom like a free security. Wendell Carter Jr. was an even bigger presence within the paint than Jalen Duren. Paolo Banchero knew when to attain and distribute when wanted.
The Magic, although, had Franz Wagner in Recreation 1. Wagner (proper calf pressure) will not be anticipated to play in Recreation 7 on Sunday. With him out, the Magic will want position gamers like Tristan da Silva, Anthony Black and Jamal Cain to step up. — Youngmisuk
The Pistons win in the event that they _____.
They’re extra bodily inside.
Cade Cunningham is one of the best participant on this sequence and can have the ability to rating when wanted, particularly if Wagner is not on the courtroom to attempt to sluggish him down. However he wants assist.
That begins inside with Duren, who has to win the battles within the paint and set up the physicality that made the Pistons one of the best staff within the East.
However greater than something, the Pistons should play that very same suffocating protection that introduced them again from down 24 within the second half of Recreation 6, in order that they do not want one other gorgeous, come-from-behind win to keep away from a disappointing first-round exit. — Youngmisuk
The X issue of Recreation 7 is _____.
Detroit’s 3-point taking pictures. It’s normal data that the Pistons battle from distance, rating twenty eighth within the common season in 3-point makes (11.0 per sport) and seventeenth in 3-point proportion (35.6%).
They’ve gotten a lot worse within the playoffs, rating final in makes (8.7 per sport) and proportion (29.7%). Duncan Robinson has shot to his typical commonplace, and Cade Cunningham has been common from deep, however each different Piston is in a serious long-range stoop.
However no NBA staff is this unhealthy on 3-pointers over a big sufficient pattern. Might Detroit lastly get going from the perimeter and make some pictures at dwelling in Recreation 7? — Kram
