Knicks Playoff Preview: Pistons
- Anthony Ellis
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
The New York Knicks look to enter their third straight playoffs appearance after a third place finish in the Eastern Conference. The Tom Thibodeau led squad finished with a 51-31 record. This being the second straight season with at least 50 wins, the first time in franchise history in 30 years. Their opponent is familiar with turning a franchise around as well. The Detroit Pistons finished the season 44-38 and sixth in the conference, following one of the worst seasons in basketball with a 14-68 record in 2023-2024. This also being coach JB Bickerstaff's first season in Detroit. He has had playoff experience in Cleveland before, and specifically against New York in the 2023 first round. This will be Detroit's first playoff appearance since the 2018-2019 season where they lost in the first round. The teams have already met four times in the regular season, Detroit won three of those.
11/1 - Knicks, 128-98 (Brunson - 36 Pts)
12/7 - Pistons, 120-111 (Brunson - 31 Pts)
1/13 - Pistons, 124-119 (Cunningham - 36 Pts)
4/10 - Pistons, 115-106 (Cunningham - 36 Pts)
The much improved Pistons squad is led by a multitude of younger talent, but also accompanied by key veteran pieces. They of course are led by young superstar guard Cade Cunningham, who is proving to be one of the best point guards in the league. The former 1st overall pick was voted into his first All-Star appearance this season, and is one of the leading candidates for Most Improved Player. He leads the offense with 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game. This season has brought the veteran help for Cunningham in the likes of Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, Dennis Schroder, and Tim Hardaway Jr. These guys have all stepped up tremendously in turning this squad around. Beasley especially has been key after losing young guard Jaden Ivey with a season ending injury earlier in the season. He is averaging 16.3 points per game, which is a five point jump from last season, also being one of the best shooters in the league. He finished second in total three pointers, and shot 42% on the season. The combination of younger and older talent has worked perfectly for the scrappy squad, and will certainly be tough competition for the first round.
From the Ranks:
Pistons
16th in Offensive Rating, 11th in Defensive Rating
12th in Points Per Game (115.5), 14th in Points Allowed (113.6)
9th in Pace (99.8)
13th in Net Rating (+1.9)
Knicks
5th in Offensive Rating, 14th in Defensive Rating
9th in Points Per Game (115.8), 9th in Points Allowed (111.7)
26th in Pace (96.7)
8th in Net Rating (+4.2)
Keys to the Game
Two similar teams in the way they play the game, both being physical and scrappy on the defensive end. Both can catch fire on the offensive end as well, though the Knicks have the advantage offensively. Knicks also favor when it comes to star power as Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are the two best players in the series entering. The pace of the offenses is drastically different as Detroit goes quick and wants to get out in transition, where New York is a slower team looking for more half court offense to run. Both squads shoot similar with the Knicks 37% from three and 49% from the field, Pistons 36% from three and 48% from the field. Though they both reside in the bottom 10 in 3-PT attempts per game. Towns and Robinson will be key for New York in the post as Towns will look to take advantage of the young post players of Detroit, while Robinson will protect the paint. Anunoby and Bridges of course will be important as guarding the perimeter against Detroit is going to be vital with players like Beasley, while also attacking their wings on offense. The playoff experience will certainly be in favor of the Knicks, which could be the biggest key of all.
Recent Notes:
Pistons finished season 2-6
Anunoby averaging 22.9 points per game in March & April
Cunningham averaging 33 points per game in last four games
Brunson & Cunningham recently returning from injuries
New York will host Detroit for Game 1 in Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, 7 PM ET.
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