The Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted the Toronto Raptors 114-102 in Game 7 last night, and with that win, we've got ourselves one of the most fascinating playoff scenarios I've seen in years.

The Eastern Conference semifinals are set: Detroit, Cleveland, New York, and Philadelphia. Take a look at those cities. The Pistons last made the Finals 21 years ago. The Knicks? Twenty-seven years. The Sixers? Twenty-five. And the Cavs, the "recent" success story, last made it 8 years ago - and that was with LeBron James.

This is the NBA's parity era in full effect, folks. The old powers - Boston, Miami, Milwaukee - they're all gone. What we're witnessing is a changing of the guard, and it's wide open.

Let's talk about last night. Jarrett Allen was an absolute monster for Cleveland - 22 points, 19 rebounds, 8 offensive boards, 2 steals, 3 blocks. He dominated the paint. Donovan Mitchell added 22 points, and James Harden chipped in 18 with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. That's playoff basketball - your stars step up when it counts.

Max Strus and Sam Merrill were huge off the bench, combining for 25 points. In a Game 7, you need contributions from everyone, and the Cavs got them.

For Toronto, Scottie Barnes was sensational - 24 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists. RJ Barrett had 23. But it wasn't enough. The Raptors fought hard, forced this to seven games, but came up just short. That's the brutal reality of playoff basketball.

Now here's what makes this so compelling: one of these four Rust Belt teams is guaranteed to make the NBA Finals. Detroit vs. Cleveland in one semifinal, Philly vs. New York in the other. Somebody's drought is ending. Somebody's fanbase is about to experience something they haven't felt in a generation.