Pistons vs Knicks Predictions

**SBR Andy** · 04-18-25, 10:20 AM

Pistons vs Knicks Game 1 prediction from SBR's Phil Wood:

Pistons +7 (-105 Caesars)

"The Pistons have recorded three five-plus-point wins over the Knicks, with two coming by nine. They’ve already beaten the Knicks twice at Madison Square Garden, and while Detroit ranks behind the Knicks in key categories like scoring offense and scoring defense, there’s barely any separation between these two teams in those categories.

The only thing preventing this wager from being a five-star play is how poorly the Pistons have been playing in April. However, even though they’ve lost five of their seven games this month, the club still managed to top the Knicks by nine when New York was playing all its starters."

Over 220.5 (-110 BetMGM)

"All four regular-season meetings went over this total, including the 115-106 win for the Pistons recently. While normally a total set below all four previous matchups would lead me to take the Under, this number isn’t put so egregiously low that it sets off any red flags about a possible trap.

Both of these teams average over 115 points per game, and neither endured much trouble getting to that number during the regular-season series. Defensively, the Knicks are allowing 111.7 points per game, while the Pistons are giving up 113.6. Defenses may tighten up a bit, but these teams have been playing with the same approach all season, and that hasn’t changed against one another."

**Igor_1965** · 04-18-25, 10:20 AM

Knicks are going to win as -400 favs only to get eliminated by the Celtics who, in turn, will be -500 favs in RD2 series.

A lot more fun on the Western Conference side

**SBR Andy** · 04-20-25, 10:48 AM

The Knicks dominate the 4th quarter 40-21 to take Game 1 123-112.

Updated series odds at DraftKings: Knicks -650 / Pistons +450

**SBR Andy** · 04-21-25, 08:52 AM

Pistons vs Knicks Game 2 prediction from SBR's Shane Jackson:

Knicks Double Result: First half winner/full time winner (-135 FanDuel)

"The Knicks now realize they must take the Pistons seriously, and I believe they will build on their momentum from a 21-0 run in the fourth quarter for a strong start on Monday and establish control of the series.

Fortunately, the Knicks excel at strong starts. They ranked fifth in the league with a net rating of +6.2 in the first half of games during the regular season. That figure was +9.9 in home games, indicating how much the atmosphere of Madison Square Garden enhances these situations.

Had it not been for a 26-foot buzzer-beater from Detroit’s Tobias Harris, New York would have covered the 3.5-point spread in the first half on Saturday. Jalen Brunson gave the Knicks a 57-52 lead with 4.1 seconds remaining before the Pistons’ 3-pointer just before the break.

There are multiple ways to support a strong start by the Knicks, including their first-half spread. However, I prefer the double result market, paying -135 odds for New York to lead at both the break and the end of the game. DraftKings’ odds for the same ticket are -160."

Karl-Anthony Towns Over 14.5 rebounds + assists (-138 FanDuel)

"Towns has an unfair playoff reputation, and I’m hoping people will realize that in this series. In Game 1, he finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and four steals. This matchup favors the big man, which is why he has cleared this combo prop in all four contests against Detroit this year. He has averaged 16 rebounds and assists in his four games against the Pistons this season.

Additionally, he boasts an overall 60% hit rate on this line for the 2024-25 season.

FanDuel is the only shop offering this line at 14.5, while the rest of the market has adjusted these odds to 15.5. Take advantage of this discount."

**SBR Andy** · 04-21-25, 11:19 AM

Pistons vs Knicks Game 2 player prop picks from SBR's Phil Wood:

Jalen Brunson Over 28.5 points (-102 FanDuel)

"This has been a great matchup for Brunson all season, and Game 1 of the series was no different. Brunson went 12-of-27 from the floor and 8-of-10 from the free throw line, scoring 34 points. It was his first 30-point game since March 6.

While Brunson scored just 15 in the last regular-season game he played against the Pistons, he scored at least 31 in his other three games against them this year. The Pistons have the 14th-ranked defense in the NBA, and because of how Brunson has exploited the Pistons’ defense all season, there’s no reason to fade him - even if the game is a little lower scoring than the opener was."

Cade Cunningham 3+ made 3-pointers (+245 DraftKings)

"After he went just 1-of-4 from deep in Game 1, don’t be surprised if a lot of bettors fade Cunningham tonight. However, that would be a short-sighted play, as Cunningham has shot the ball very well from beyond the arc against the Knicks this season.

Before Saturday’s game, Cunningham was shooting over 50% from long range against the Knicks, and he’d made at least 2 threes against them in all four of his games. In two of those four games, he made at least 4 3-pointers.

As a team, the Pistons shot nearly 50% from deep in Game 1. Therefore, it’s clear that the Knicks’ defense wasn’t the problem; Cunningham’s shooting was. Because of that, I expect him to bounce back tonight, and rather than take his standard line for -120 or worse, I’m backing this alt-line for a great price."

Dennis Schroder Over 4.5 assists (+150 BetMGM)

"Despite averaging 5.3 assists per game during the regular season, Schroder managed just 3 in the series opener. A major reason why he struggled so much was the poor shooting of Cunningham. With Cunningham shooting barely over 38% from the field, he started looking for his teammates, which led to him dishing out 12 assists and giving Schroder fewer opportunities.

Oddsmakers are so confident that Schroder will bounce back tonight that his total is set at 3.5, and the best price available is -140. Rather than pay way too much, I’m recommending this alt-line for a much better price. After all, Schroder has dished out at least 6 assists in two of his four games against the Knicks this season."

**SBR Andy** · 04-22-25, 10:19 AM

The Pistons stun the Garden faithful 100-94 in Game 2 to tie up the series.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Knicks -250 / Pistons +200

**SBR Andy** · 04-28-25, 09:33 AM

The Knicks win Games 3 and 4 to go up 3-1 in the series.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Knicks -2500 / Pistons +1100

**SBR Andy** · 04-29-25, 09:24 AM

Pistons vs Knicks Game 5 prediction from SBR's Gabe Henderson:

Knicks -5.5 (-108 ESPN BET)

"Detroit came into this series looking to lean on Cade Cunningham and its gritty style. Ultimately, though, the Pistons will regret the latter, as setting a physical tone came back to bite them at the end of Game 4. Regardless of whether you believe Tim Hardaway Jr. was fouled - he was - it was a deflating blow to Detroit's chances.

The series now shifts back to the Big Apple and Madison Square Garden, where New York is 28-15 this season.

It's difficult to predict how the Pistons will come out in Game 5 after an emotionally draining two-game losing skid at home. Detroit's back is against the wall down 3-1 in the series against a more experienced side, which is not a great place to be historically.

While the Pistons may have the best player on the floor in Cunningham, the Knicks have the best scorer (Jalen Brunson) and an elite frontcourt presence (Karl-Anthony Towns). The experience and familiarity within New York's ranks have led to fewer mistakes, ultimately proving to be the difference in a tightly contested series.

For these reasons, we'll side with the Knicks. The winner in each of the past four contests has also covered the spread, so we're recommending New York -5.5 as the best bet for Game 5."

**SBR Andy** · 04-29-25, 09:40 AM

Pistons vs Knicks Game 5 player prop picks from SBR's Mike Spector:

Jalen Brunson Over 29.5 points (-118 FanDuel)

"Jalen Brunson has been averaging 33.3 points per game in this series, and he's reached the 30-point plateau in all four.

Despite suffering an injury scare in Game 4 that sent him to the locker room, I expect his minutes to be more in line with the 40 and 44 he played at home in the first two games, knowing extended rest is coming if the Knicks clinch a second-round spot.

Brunson won the NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award after ranking second or better in clutch categories like total points, 3-pointers made, free throws made, assists, and usage.

Even with Detroit using multiple defenders to be physical with Brunson, he still managed 32 points on the road in Game 4 while dishing out a series-high 11 assists. That bodes well for the ball to be in his hands a lot with a series victory hanging in the balance.

FanDuel is alone among our best NBA betting sites while charging less than -120 juice to back the Over of 29.5 points. Several others are setting this line higher at 30.5."

Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 3-pointers made (-135 DraftKings)

"Karl-Anthony Towns’ ability to stretch the floor was a significant reason why the Knicks coveted him in an offseason trade. It's also why New York holds a 3-1 series lead over Detroit.

Towns has been averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers on five attempts this series. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau clearly made adjustments after Towns went 1-for-5 from 3-point range in the first two games of the series, as the big man was 9-for-15 from beyond the arc during the two contests in Detroit.

The five-time All-Star made at least three 3-pointers in two of the three regular-season games he played against the Pistons. He should be utilized on the perimeter just as much in Game 5 to space the floor and open up driving lanes.

DraftKings has lowered its juice for this wager from -140. The -135 odds that book offers remain a much better value than the -147 on the high end for this same play at Caesars."

Ausar Thompson Under 4.5 rebounds (-120 BetMGM)

"Ausar Thompson is a starter for the Pistons, but he hasn't been getting typical starting minutes, with a high of 23 minutes over the four games in this series.

Thompson went over this rebounds total in Games 1 and 2 at Madison Square Garden, but he's pulled down four or fewer rebounds in each of the last two games.

Detroit has been enjoying success defensively against the Knicks. It's held New York to 94 points twice, and the Knicks’ 14-point output in the third quarter of Game 4 was their second-lowest in a quarter this season.

But oddsmakers at our best sports betting apps expect the pace to pick up in this game while setting the total between 212.5 and 213 points. Thompson is not enough of a factor on the offensive glass to inflate his rebounding total without a bevy of missed shots. He averages fewer than two offensive rebounds per game.

The Under is juiced as high as -136 (carrying a 57.63% implied probability) at FanDuel, so I'm heading to BetMGM for the best value."

**SBR Andy** · 2025-04-30T13:35:17+00:00

The Pistons stay alive with a 106-103 win in Game 5 to force a Game 6 in Detroit.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Knicks -500 / Pistons +380

**SBR Andy** · 2025-05-01T15:52:10+00:00

Knicks vs Pistons Game 6 prediction from SBR's Rob Paul:

Under 213.5 (-110 BetRivers)

"This is not your older siblings' Pistons squad, and the Knicks are finding that out quickly after allowing Detroit to pull off its first playoff win since 2007-08 in Game 2, and then again in Game 5 on Tuesday. The key to both wins for Pistons first-year head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been defense and methodical offense.

In those two wins, the Pistons held New York to an average of 98.5 points per game, while scoring an average of just 103 points themselves. And in their near upset in Game 4, they fell by just one point in a brawling 94-93 loss at Madison Square Garden. Clearly, Bickerstaff knows the key to forcing a Game 7, and potentially winning this series, is by playing slow on offense and gritty on defense.

The most important piece to that approach thus far has been big man Jalen Duren, who was 22nd in the league in defensive win shares this season (3.4), setting the tone for Detroit on the defensive end. He's averaging 2.0 blocks per game in the series and has the best defensive rating on the team (107.0) among players playing at least 20 minutes per game.

He's a big reason why the Over/Under is just 213.5 across our best sports betting apps, despite the Knicks being fifth in offensive rating during the regular season (118.5). Neither team has played as well offensively in the series as they did during the regular season, with New York seeing its effective field goal percentage drop from 55.6% to 50.8% against Detroit.

The Pistons have seen a similar drop-off going from a 54.7% effective field goal percentage in the regular season to 50.8% against Tom Thibodeau's squad. Cade Cunningham has really struggled with his shooting, too - 43% from the floor and 25% from behind the arc - and it's clear that if Detroit is going to win again, this game needs to be a low-scoring rock fight."

**SBR Andy** · 2025-05-01T15:54:27+00:00

Knicks vs Pistons Game 6 player prop picks from SBR's Gabe Henderson:

Cade Cunningham Under 27.5 points (-120 DraftKings)

"Cunningham has been sensational against the Knicks, averaging 25.4 points, 8.8 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game in the series. His 13-point fourth quarter helped keep Detroit's season alive. However, despite his clutch performances down the stretch, his points prop total is too high for Game 6.

Cunningham has cleared 27.5 points just once in the postseason against New York, in Game 2, when he scored 33. Otherwise, he's missed out by at least one possession (21, 24, 25, 24) and gone Under in five of nine against the Knicks this year.

A majority of games in this series have gone Under the expected total, so we're predicting Cunningham fails to score 28-plus in another low-scoring affair against New York."

OG Anunoby Over 4.5 rebounds (-135 DraftKings)

"Anunoby posted a series-best eight rebounds in Game 5. He's grabbing five or more boards at a 60% clip this series and in five of his last eight overall. Our best sports betting apps list this total (4.5) at slightly below his season average (4.8), so there could be some value in backing Anunoby to go Over again in Game 6.

We recommend this play at three-star confidence to display our hesitation. Anunoby only registered four rebounds across two games at Little Caesars Arena in this series. However, he's crashed the glass well in other road games this season, so we're taking a flyer at the -135 price offered by DraftKings."

Jalen Duran Over 2.5 assists (-140 DraftKings)

"Duren's scoring numbers have taken a hit in this series against New York's formidable and disciplined frontcourt defense. He's averaging 10 points per game, down from 11.8 PPG throughout the season, but it has led to Duren creating more for his teammates.

The big man's assist (2.7 to 3.6) and potential assist numbers (4.3 to 5.4) have increased from the regular season. This has led to him clearing the 2.5-assist mark - his line for Game 6 - in four of five against the Knicks. His odds are juiced to make it five in six, but the prop is still playable at -140 at our best sportsbooks."