The Detroit Pistons return home after a hugely successful trip to New York City, having split the opening two games on the road to effectively take home court advantage back to Michigan with them.
The Knicks experienced high highs and low lows across a pair of fourth quarters in the series’ opening two games, with a flurry of unanswered points powering them to victory in Game 1, before head-scratching coaching from Tom Thibodeau helped them drop Game 2.
Detroit, in its core’s first playoff run together, did brilliantly to rebound from a gut punch in Game 1. Though its Game 2 win in New York came down to the final moments, the Pistons were largely in control from wire-to-wire. After a couple of clever adjustments, Cade Cunningham and co. will head home optimistic of not ceding home court back to New York.
As this first round Eastern Conference matchup resumes in Michigan this Thursday, check out our New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons predictions, including our NBA expert picks, with tip set for April 24 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Matchup New York Knicks vs Detroit Pistons Overview
Teams: New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Little Caesars Arena
Win Probabilities
The NBA win probabilities have been generated using insights from recent NBA games, combined with expert NBA picks and predictions. The New York Knicks are headed back on the road, but have been given a chance to win this NBA game. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons have come home with a split in the series and have a chance, according to the NBA’s win probabilities.
Projected Final Score
The projected final score anticipates a close game in the Motor City, but for the New York Knicks to prevail with a final score of New York Knicks 112-108 Detroit Pistons.
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Despite neither game thus far coming down to the final possession, the series has been remarkably close. The New York Knicks won Game 1 by nine points, before the Detroit Pistons bounced back in Game 2 with a six point victory, but the underlying numbers paint a picture of a wildly tight matchup.
Just 0.3 points separates the Knicks and Pistons in net rating over the two games, a wild illustration of the tight margins at play. Despite the Knicks finishing the regular season with a net rating 2.3 points higher than the Pistons, expect the tight margins we’ve seen so far to be the norm.
With razor thin margins separating the two teams, and both feeling intense pressure — New York to steal back home court advantage and Detroit to retain the advantage it earned at Madison Square Garden — it sets up a tremendous Game 3 at Little Caesars Arena.
Why the New York Knicks Can Cover
In a Game 2 loss that came by multiple possessions, the New York Knicks were in it until the end, despite not getting production from anyone beyond Jalen Brunson. Aided by 11 free throws and 45% shooting from deep, Brunson posted 37 points to go along with seven assists.
Brunson led a team that, otherwise, saw point totals of 10, 10, 19, and 10 from its other four starters. Towns, in particular, was a disappointment as he ceased to produce in the second half, despite scoring at a good efficiency. Yet, that’s a core reason for optimism for the Knicks: a Game 2 loss saw them get almost nothing from four of five starters, yet they only lost by six.
Even if Towns continues to be muted by Detroit’s defensive approach to him, New York can expect an uptick in offensive production. OG Anunoby missed all four threes he attempted, while Mikal Bridges had a ridiculously green light, taking 11 threes, but only knocked down three of them.
Positive regression from Anunoby and Bridges on the wing, and even the slightest uptick in production from Towns, would see New York’s offense surge back toward where it resided during the regular season.
Despite the Pistons’ Game 2 win, they’re yet to prove they can score with a fully functioning Knicks offense and find production beyond Cade Cunningham. That proof will be brought to the test yet again in Game 3, and after having a top five offense throughout the regular season, the Knicks should be confident they can kick their offense into gear again and test Detroit’s secondary scorers.
Why the Detroit Pistons Can Cover
Of all the reasons for optimism around the Detroit Pistons, one matchup specific reason stands out. They have seemingly unlocked a way to discombobulate Karl-Anthony Towns offensively, and derailed the two man game between Towns and Jalen Brunson that was so successful during the regular season.
A strategic approach that so frequently found success against Towns during his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves has been revived.
The Pistons have deployed center Jalen Duren on Knicks wing Josh Hart, rather than the opposing big man in Towns. Duren’s use on Hart allows Detroit to use Tobias Harris to defend Towns, with Harris being much more adept at defending Towns on the perimeter and disrupting the offensive mastery Towns can display so easily.
When Towns attempts to get to the block or post up the undersized Harris, Duren is able to come across and help, with Hart not a good enough shooter to punish this approach. Towns did not make any impact in the second half of Detroit’s Game 2 win, with the Pistons’ defensive strategy a huge reason why.
The Knicks finished the regular season as a top five offense by offensive rating, and just slightly above league average in defense. Offense has been, and remains, their path to success. That path can’t be taken if Towns and, by extension, Brunson, are limited. Detroit has successfully limited Towns, and barring a response from the Knicks, the Pistons are in a good position.
How to Make New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons Picks
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