The biggest surprise of the 2024-25 NBA season will get its biggest test, something of a temperature check to determine how far along this team is in its rebuild.
The Detroit Pistons broke out this year to claim the No. 6 seed, snapping a five-year postseason drought. Led by All-Star Cade Cunningham, whose numbers have shot up since he took over more ball-handling duties, the Pistons entered the season as the fourth-youngest team in the NBA, with an average age of 24.3 years.
The Knicks, meanwhile, have improved this season after acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges in all-in, win-now transactions. Towns ranked second in the league in rebounds (12.8) and has opened up New York’s offense with his range and ability to stretch the floor. Jalen Brunson missed 15 games late in the season with a sprained right ankle but returned April 6.
Here’s everything you need to know about the first-round series between the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks:
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks preview
How the Pistons will win: The glaring weakness Detroit has is that it relies too much on Cunningham. The Pistons will need massive performances from Malik Beasley off the bench and even more from Tobias Harris. Detroit will need to catch fire from the perimeter to compete with New York’s firepower.
How the Knicks will win: New York is well coached and relies on its starting unit; no five-player lineup played more minutes (940) than the Knicks’ starting five. The Pistons sometimes can be careless with the ball. If the Knicks play their game and force Detroit’s hand, they should move on to the second round.
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks stat
- The Pistons posted a 30-win turnaround, sixth-best in NBA history, after winning just 14 games last season, worst in the league.
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks player to watch
- Tobias Harris, Pistons: Although he serves a role in Detroit’s offense, Harris’ 13.7 points-per-game average, as a starter, should be insufficient against the Knicks. He’ll need to be more aggressive and assertive, as New York could opt to double Cunningham.
- Mikal Bridges, Knicks: He’s often the forgotten player in a lineup loaded with scoring options, but it’s Bridges’ defense that makes him a problem in this matchup. With his length and lateral speed, New York could opt to put him on Cunningham.
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks predictions
- Lorenzo Reyes: Knicks in five
- Heather Tucker: Knicks in six
- James Williams: Knicks in six
- Jeff Zillgitt: Knicks in six
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks schedule
- Game 1: Pistons at Knicks | Saturday, April 19, 6 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 2: Pistons at Knicks | Monday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. | TNT
- Game 3: Knicks at Pistons | Thursday, April 24, TBD | TNT
- Game 4: Knicks at Pistons | Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. | ABC
- Game 5: Pistons at Knicks | Tuesday, April 29, TBD | TBD*
- Game 6: Knicks at Pistons | Thursday, May 1, TBD | TBD*
- Game 7: Pistons at Knicks | Saturday, May 3, TBD | TBD*
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks season series
The Pistons won the season series, taking three out of four games.
- Nov. 1: Knicks 128, Pistons 98
- Dec. 7: Pistons 120, Knicks 111
- Jan. 13: Pistons 124, Knicks 119
- April 10: Pistons 115, Knicks 106
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pistons vs. Knicks NBA playoff preview: Prediction, Eastern schedule
The biggest surprise of the 2024-25 NBA season will get its biggest test, something of a temperature check to determine how far along this team is in its rebuild.
The Detroit Pistons broke out this year to claim the No. 6 seed, snapping a five-year postseason drought. Led by All-Star Cade Cunningham, whose numbers have shot up since he took over more ball-handling duties, the Pistons entered the season as the fourth-youngest team in the NBA, with an average age of 24.3 years.
The Knicks, meanwhile, have improved this season after acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges in all-in, win-now transactions. Towns ranked second in the league in rebounds (12.8) and has opened up New York’s offense with his range and ability to stretch the floor. Jalen Brunson missed 15 games late in the season with a sprained right ankle but returned April 6.
Here’s everything you need to know about the first-round series between the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks:
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks preview
How the Pistons will win: The glaring weakness Detroit has is that it relies too much on Cunningham. The Pistons will need massive performances from Malik Beasley off the bench and even more from Tobias Harris. Detroit will need to catch fire from the perimeter to compete with New York’s firepower.
How the Knicks will win: New York is well coached and relies on its starting unit; no five-player lineup played more minutes (940) than the Knicks’ starting five. The Pistons sometimes can be careless with the ball. If the Knicks play their game and force Detroit’s hand, they should move on to the second round.
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks stat
- The Pistons posted a 30-win turnaround, sixth-best in NBA history, after winning just 14 games last season, worst in the league.
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks player to watch
- Tobias Harris, Pistons: Although he serves a role in Detroit’s offense, Harris’ 13.7 points-per-game average, as a starter, should be insufficient against the Knicks. He’ll need to be more aggressive and assertive, as New York could opt to double Cunningham.
- Mikal Bridges, Knicks: He’s often the forgotten player in a lineup loaded with scoring options, but it’s Bridges’ defense that makes him a problem in this matchup. With his length and lateral speed, New York could opt to put him on Cunningham.
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks predictions
- Lorenzo Reyes: Knicks in five
- Heather Tucker: Knicks in six
- James Williams: Knicks in six
- Jeff Zillgitt: Knicks in six
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks schedule
- Game 1: Pistons at Knicks | Saturday, April 19, 6 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 2: Pistons at Knicks | Monday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. | TNT
- Game 3: Knicks at Pistons | Thursday, April 24, TBD | TNT
- Game 4: Knicks at Pistons | Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. | ABC
- Game 5: Pistons at Knicks | Tuesday, April 29, TBD | TBD*
- Game 6: Knicks at Pistons | Thursday, May 1, TBD | TBD*
- Game 7: Pistons at Knicks | Saturday, May 3, TBD | TBD*
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks season series
The Pistons won the season series, taking three out of four games.
- Nov. 1: Knicks 128, Pistons 98
- Dec. 7: Pistons 120, Knicks 111
- Jan. 13: Pistons 124, Knicks 119
- April 10: Pistons 115, Knicks 106
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pistons vs. Knicks NBA playoff preview: Prediction, Eastern schedule
