NBA Playoff Picks 4/21- Pistons @ Knicks

By Thomas Quaynor for Wannamakeabet.com

The first round of the NBA playoffs continue tonight with the No.6 seed Detroit Pistons (44-38) visiting the No. 3 seed New York Knicks (51-31) in Game Two tonight on TNT. New York leads 1-0 after defeating Detroit 123-112 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. Detroit went 3-1 against New York during the regular season — including winning both games in New York — but was unable to duplicate that success in Game One. New York is a 6.5-point favorite, and the total is 221.5.

New York used a 21-0 run in the fourth quarter to rally and put away the feisty Detroit Pistons in Game One. After a nip and tuck first half that saw New York emerge with a 57-55 halftime lead, Detroit outscored New York 36-26 in the third quarter and took a 91-83 lead into the fourth. Detroit maintained an 8-point lead (98-90) with 9:16 remaining in the game after a Dennis Schroder layup. New York then went on the decisive 21-0 run over the next 4:41 to take a 111-98 lead. Detroit was never able to recover afterwards.

Knicks guard Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 34 points (12-27 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 8-10 FT) and dished out eight assists over 40 minutes. He scored 23 of his 34 points in the second half. Brunson left the game with an ankle injury late in the third quarter, but returned in the fourth frame and spearheaded the Knicks scintillating 21-0 run. Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby each scored 23 points for the Knicks. 

Pistons forward Tobias Harris scored a team-high 25 points (8-13 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 5-5 FT) and added six rebounds and two blocks across 40 minutes in defeat. He scored 22 of his 25 points in the first half. It was Harris’ highest scoring game since a 27-point output in a Dec. 4 loss at Boston. Cade Cunningham registered 21 points (8-21 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 12 assists and six rebounds over 39 minutes in his playoff debut. Super-sub Malik Beasley added 20 points (7-16 FG, 6-12 3Pt) off the bench. 

2024-25 SEASON RECAP: DETROIT

Prior to this year, the once-proud Detroit Pistons franchise had only made the playoffs twice (2016, 2019) since the 2008-09 season. They finished with 50 or more losses in nine of 13 full seasons over that 15-year span. Last season, Detroit produced one of the worst seasons for any team in NBA history as they finished with a franchise-worst mark of 14-68 and set an NBA record by losing 28 games in a row. It seemed as if Detroit would be destined to be a bottom-feeder for the foreseeable future as they failed to attract high-priced free agents and whiffed on most of their high draft picks. 

In the offseason, Detroit made several under-the-radar moves that ended up drastically changing their fortunes this season. The first was hiring J.B. Bickerstaff as its head coach on July 3. A few days later, Detroit signed veterans Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris as free agents. Bickerstaff led the Cleveland Cavaliers to consecutive postseason appearances and the second round of the playoffs last season, but was fired on May 23. Beasley and Harris arrived in Detroit with reputations as being versatile scorers.

The additions of J.B. Bickerstaff, Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris, along with the continued excellence of star guard Cade Cunningham resulted in one of the biggest one-year turnarounds in NBA history. Detroit experienced a 30-win improvement in 2024-25 as they went from 14-68 to 44-38. The Pistons 30-game turnaround was the fifth best single-season win improvement in NBA history. Bickerstaff is one of three finalists for the NBA’s Coach of the Year award. 

Cade Cunningham elevated his game to an All-NBA level this season as he averaged 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, 6.1 rebounds, 1 steal and 2.1 threes while shooting 46.9 percent from the floor and 35.6 percent from long distance across 70 games. Cunningham’s points per game, assists, shooting percentage and games played are all career-highs. The 23-year-old, former No. 1 overall pick (2021) was named an All-Star for the first time in his 4-year NBA career. He became the the first Piston selected as an All-Star since Blake Griffin in 2019.

The aforementioned Malik Beasley (16.3 pts, 2.6 rebs, 3.9 threes, 43% from 2, 41.6% from 3 in 82 games) and Tobias Harris (13.7 pts, 5.9 rebs, 1 stl, 47.7% from 2 in 73 games), along with center Jalen Duran (11.8 pts, 10.3 rebs, 1.1 blk, 69.2% from 2 in 78 games) were all fantastic in complimentary roles alongside All-Star Cade Cunningham. The 21-year-old, third-year center Duran averaged a double-double for a second straight year and should be a dominant post player for the next 10-15 years.

2024-25 SEASON RECAP: NEW YORK

For about two decades (2001-2022), the New York Knicks were mostly an inept organization. They made only four playoff appearances over a 21-year period. The Knicks were able to atone for their mishaps after signing guard Jalen Brunson to a four-year, $104 million deal as a free agent in July 2022. Brunson immediately elevated his play to superstar status with the Knicks and led the team to consecutive playoff seasons in 2023 and 2024. Last season, the Knicks finished 50-32 and won a playoff series for the first time since 2013. 

Despite increasing their win total over the past two seasons and advancing in the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, the Knicks decided to make a major change to their roster. Prior to the season on Oct. 24, New York acquired star center Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team trade. The Knicks sent Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a future first-round pick to Minnesota as part of the deal. 

The addition of the 29-year-old, former No. 1 overall pick (2015) Karl-Anthony Towns was expected to turn the Knicks into challengers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Things did not quite work out that way for the Knicks as they only increased their win total by one game this season and finished a distant third in the Eastern Conference standings behind Cleveland and Boston. The Knicks also went 0-8 against Cleveland and Boston during the regular season. 

The Knicks did not quite live up to expectations in terms of wins and losses during the regular season, but the All-Star duo of Jalen Brunson (26 pts, 7.3 asts, 2.3 threes, 48.8% from 2, 38,3% from 3 in 65 games) and Karl-Anthony Towns (24.4 pts, 12.8 rebs, 1 stl, 2 threes, 52.6% from 2, 42% from 3 in 72 games) played to their fullest potential in 2024-25. Both players started in this year’s All-Stars game. They became the first Knicks duo voted in to start the All-Star game since Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe in 1975. 

OG Anunoby (18 pts, 4.8 rebs, 1.5 stls, 2.3 threes, 47.6% from 2, 37.2% from 3 in 74 games), Mikal Bridges (17.6 pts, 3.7 asts, 3.2 rebs, 2 threes, 50% from 2, 35.4% from 3 in 82 games) and Josh Hart (13.6 pts, 9.6 rebs, 5.9 asts, 1.5 stls, 1.1 threes, 52.5% from 2 in 77 games) round out one of the best starting units in the NBA. All three players are versatile on offense and outstanding defenders. If New York’s starting five can remain healthy for the playoffs — which has been a big issue for the Knicks in the playoffs over the past 2 seasons — they may be able to put up a fight against Boston in the second round should both teams advance. 

THE PICK: KNICKS (-6.5)

The Pistons play with the same grit and intensity that championship-level Pistons teams (1989, 1990, 2004, 2005) of the past did but they lack consistent scoring outside of Cade Cunningham. The Knicks have too much playoff experience and talent for the young Pistons. I expect another double-digit win again tonight for the home team. Lay the Points and take the Knicks.