Game 7 galore: 3 NBA playoff matchups head into winner-take-all showdown

Alta Sports3 days ago · 364 views

Game 7 galore: 3 NBA playoff matchups head into winner-take-all showdown image

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By Joel Reyes

The first round of the 2026 Eastern Conference Playoffs has produced plenty of drama this season, with three out of the four series matchups heading into a Game Seven. Alta Sports looks at the NBA playoff showdowns that will feature the best two words in sports.

Game 7 Schedule (Philippine Time)

Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (Sunday, 7:30 am)

The Philadelphia 76ers head to Boston for Game 7 with momentum on their side, having won the previous two matchups to tie the series at 3-3. Tyrese Maxey starred in those victories, posting a double-double in Game 5 with 25 points and 10 rebounds, before dropping 30 markers in the Game 6 win.

Jayson Tatum’s status for the winner-take-all clash remains uncertain after exiting Game 6 with a calf injury. Tatum, who suffered an Achilles injury last postseason, missed the entire fourth quarter of Game 6 and was seen sitting on the bench with his leg wrapped.

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Joel Embiid has been a huge help for Philadelphia since returning to the starting lineup in Game 4, averaging 26.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists in this year’s playoffs against Boston.

Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons (Monday, 3:30 am)

Against all odds, the Detroit Pistons have managed to force a Game 7 in their first-round series with the Orlando Magic. Detroit looked down out after trailing Orlando by 24 points in Game 6.

The Pistons made a stunning comeback, though, outscoring the Magic 55-19 in the second half, including a 31-8 edge in the fourth quarter. Cade Cunningham helped complete Detroit’s fightback, scoring 19 of his 32 points in the final 12 minutes of play.

Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images

Tobias Harris added 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, who will look to become the 14th team in NBA playoff history to successfully come back from a 1-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series.

It was a disappointing defeat for the Magic, who missed 23 consecutive field goal attempts in their second-half collapse.

Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers (Monday, 7:30 am)

The Toronto Raptors followed the Magic’s example, pulling off a miraculous ending in Game 6 to send their series with the Cleveland Cavaliers into a deciding Game 7.

The Raptors looked to be headed for an early playoff exit after RJ Barrett’s 3-point attempt in the closing stages of overtime bounced high off the rim with Toronto trailing by one at that stage.

Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images

Barrett sent Raptors fans into a frenzy, though, as his attempt went straight up and then fell down to the bottom of the net to give Toronto a 112-110 lead with 1.2 seconds left. The Raptors then made a defensive stop on the other end to force a Game 7.

Who will emerge victorious in Game 7 and punch their tickets to the Eastern Conference Semifinals? We’ll soon find out.

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