Cavs vs Pistons Game 7 instant reactions. Cavaliers make statement

DETROIT — The two best words in sports: Game 7.

The Cavaliers and Pistons met May 17 for a win-or-go-home Game 7 at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. After the Cavs took control of the series with a road win in Game 5, the Pistons extended and tied the series 3-3 with a Game 6 win.

In Game 7, the Cavs completely dominated the Pistons en route to a 125-94 win that had Detroit fans heading for the exits early in the fourth quarter. The Cavs will face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 1 is set for May 19 at Madison Square Garden.

Here our instant reactions to Cavs-Pistons Game 7 from Beacon Journal writers Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich:

Cavs vs Pistons Game 7: Ryan Lewis' instant reaction

• OK, Game 7 Jarrett Allen might be an actual trend. After the Cavs were pushed around in the paint in Game 6, Allen pushed back in Game 7 with another absolutely fantastic performance. The Pistons never had an answer for him. Allen sent the Cavs to the second round with his Game 7 dominance against the Raptors, and he was again terrific against the Pistons.
• What a moment this will be for Donovan Mitchell, who had never been past the second around and was beginning to hear that narrative every single offseason. After going nuclear in Game 4, Mitchell had struggled and needed a solid performance like he put together in Game 7.
• It sure looked like Sam Merrill and Ausar Thompson might have had a personal one-on-one going, and Merrill got the last laugh. Thompson struggled, Merrill sank any hopes of a Pistons' comeback with 3 after 3. The only shot Thompson actually landed was the shoulder he put into Merrill's mug.
• The Pistons basically never showed up for this one, which for a Game 7 at home, is not a great look.

Cavs vs Pistons Game 7: Nate Ulrich's instant reaction

• The Cavs received several heroic performances in Game 7, but one stands out in this respect: The guy took a beating and kept going. It's the type of spirit needed to survive and advance in the NBA playoffs, and Cavs backup shooting guard Sam Merrill embodied it.
• In Game 7, Merrill scored a playoff career-high 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field (5 of 8 on 3-pointers).
• Now here's the part about Merrill taking a beating.
• With 3:37 left in the first quarter, Merrill absorbed a hard charge from Pistons forward Ausar Thompson and remained on the floor for a moment. Merrill used his hand to check his mouth. Thompson was called for an offensive foul.
• The brutal collision came two days after Thompson received a Flagrant 1 foul in Game 6 for basically choke-slamming Merrill a la pro wrestling legend The Undertaker.
• None it stopped Merrill.

Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich cover the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. The Beacon Journal sports department can be reached at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs score, instant reactions to Game 7 rout of Pistons