Three Game 7s Are Happening Right Now and the East Is About to Lose Its Mind
The 2026 NBA playoffs first round has been absolutely wild, and we're about to get three Game 7s all in the Eastern Conference. This is only the second time since the round went to best-of-7 back in 2003 that we've seen three Game 7s in a single first round. The 2014 playoffs had five, so this is genuinely rare stuff.
Here's what's on the line: the New York Knicks are waiting for the winner of the Boston Celtics versus Philadelphia 76ers series. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic are squaring off, and the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors are battling it out. Whoever wins those two matchups will face the Knicks in the conference semifinals. All the drama, all the stakes, all happening in the East.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiThe Pistons Just Erased 24 Points Against the Magic
Talk about a historic comeback. The Pistons were down by 24 points to the Magic and pulled off an incredible turnaround to force a Game 7. That Magic team scored the fewest points in a half in NBA playoff history. When you're that cold in the playoffs, you're in trouble. Now both teams have to come back for one more winner-take-all game on Sunday, and the Magic are trying to figure out how they let that slip away.
What Each Team Needs to Do to Survive Sunday
NBA insiders Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Zach Kram, and Ohm Youngmisuk are breaking down the keys to each series finale. For the 76ers against the Celtics (Game 7 is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock), Philadelphia needs to stick to what works. Coach Nick Nurse has found a formula, and the 76ers need to ride it. Joel Embiid is the engine, and the team's execution around him will decide whether they can steal this in Boston.
ESPN Analytics has the Celtics at 74.5 percent to win, so Philadelphia is definitely the underdog here. But the Pistons just proved that playoff comebacks are real, and the Raptors forced Game 7 in overtime against the Cavs. Nothing is decided until that final buzzer sounds on Sunday.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.