Knicks vs Pistons: Tips, Odds, and Match Preview

Even though the Knicks gassed out a little in the final stages of the regular season by going 4-4 over their last eight games, there’s no question the Knicks should be the favorites on paper for this series against a surging, up-and-coming Pistons team. New York has plenty of playoff experience both on and off the court, and they’ll also have the home-court advantage, which is a massive factor in the early rounds.

The Pistons have a shot at pulling the upset, though. Even though they finished with the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, there were prolonged stretches where Detroit punched above its weight and looked like a competitive team. The Pistons have nothing to lose, as no one expected them to reach the playoffs this season, and that could be a weapon they use to their advantage in this series.

Experience to Pay Off for New York?

The Knicks feature a head coach who knows a thing or two about the postseason in Tom Thibodeau, a pair of All-Stars who are desperate to win a title in Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, and an outstanding supporting cast that plays with intensity night in and night out.

However, as experienced as the Knicks are compared to the Pistons, it remains to be seen how Thibodeau will manage the rotation, with the starters logging heavy minutes until the late days of the regular season. New York went 51-31 and finished in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, and their 27-14 record at home should be enough to consider the Knicks as the favorites in this series.

Knicks Injury & Suspension News

The Knicks are uncertain whether OG Anunoby will be available, as he’s dealing with a right thumb sprain. Still, he’s widely expected to be available and handle his regular workload as one of the starting forwards. The only other absence is Ariel Hukporti, who’s expected to miss a big chunk of the postseason with a knee injury.

Pistons Continue to Shock the NBA

No one expected the Pistons to reach the postseason in 2024-25, especially after the team finished with one of the worst records in 2023-24. However, the play of their star guard, Cade Cunningham, lifted Detroit to unprecedented heights, and Detroit finished the season with a 44-38 record, including an impressive 22-19 mark away from home.

The lack of experience could be an issue for Detroit, as only a handful of their regular rotation members have tasted the playoffs in the past, but that’s one of the reasons why the Pistons are so dangerous. The team has nothing to lose, and even if they get swept by the Knicks, this will still be a successful year. The play of Cade Cunningham, who averaged 26.1 points and 9.1 assists per game in the regular season, will dictate whether Detroit can pull the upset or not.

Pistons Injury & Suspension News

The Pistons rested several players in the regular-season finale and won’t have many fitness doubts for the series opener Saturday. The lone doubt lies in whether Isaiah Stewart will suit up, as he’s dealing with a knee injury. Jaden Ivey (lower leg) is expected to be out until early May in a best-case scenario.

Knicks vs Pistons Prediction

The Knicks have far more experience in the postseason, and the playoff aura of Madison Square Garden will be too much for a young Pistons team to handle. However, and instead of going for the winner, we’ll look at the total points scored here. Each of the four H2H meetings during the regular season ended with at least 220 total points scored, and that trend should continue in this series opener.

CryptoGamba tip: Over 220.5 points – 1.87 @JackBit