For months, the Knicks have been constructed up as contenders. For weeks, the Pistons have been written off as a feel-good story.
Now they’re each in the identical area, chasing the identical prize — and just one will survive the primary spherical.
New York enters the playoffs with its most full crew in years: an All-Star duo, a rejuvenated large man rotation, and the battle scars of two straight postseason runs culminating in two straight second-round exits.
In the meantime Detroit enters with home cash in hand — however with a swagger that claims they’re right here to gather extra than simply expertise.
Cade Cunningham has shortly turn into the NBA’s newest drawback. Jalen Brunson has lengthy since confirmed he’s the reply. And from OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Cities to Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson, this matchup will come right down to who wins the sides — the matchups within the margins — and who blinks first when the sport slows down within the ultimate two minutes.
Two franchises. Two timelines. One collection that guarantees extra smoke than anticipated.
Right here’s every thing it’s worthwhile to know earlier than the opening bell rings at Madison Sq. Backyard.
TALE OF THE TAPE
This isn’t simply one other No. 3 vs. No 6 first-round playoff matchup. In any case, six seeds have solely pulled the Spherical 1 upset 22 instances in NBA historical past. The Golden State Warriors have been the final to drag it off in 2023, defeated the No. 3 seeded Sacramento Kings.
Historically, No. 3 seeds have their matchup within the bag. The Knicks can ill-afford to take the Pistons frivolously.
NEW YORK KNICKS
Report: 51-31Playoff Historical past: Fourth journey in final 5 seasons; two consecutive second-round appearances.Head Coach: Tom Thibodeau (578-420 general; 38-47 playoffs)Key Gamers: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Cities, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh HartAll-Stars: 2 (Brunson, Cities)All-NBA/Protection: 4 — Brunson, Cities, Anunoby (All-Protection), Bridges (All-Protection)Mixed Playoff Expertise: 471 gamesAverage Age: 27.6Odds: -420 favourite
DETROIT PISTONS
Report: 44-38Playoff Historical past: First look since 2019, third since 2009.Head Coach: J.B. Bickerstaff (299-328 general; 7-15 playoffs)Key Gamers: Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren, Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr.All-Star Appearances: 7 (Cunningham, Harris)All-NBA/Protection: Cunningham (projected)Mixed Playoff Expertise: 243 gamesAverage Age: 25.5Odds: +330 underdog
COACHING SHOWDOWN
There’s tons of expertise to go round, however Thibodeau will get the sting.
The Knicks head coach enters his tenth playoff run carrying a 578-420 profession document with a 38-47 document within the playoffs. Thibodeau has solely superior past the second spherical as soon as in his profession. After blockbuster trades introduced Cities and Bridges to New York, the stakes couldn’t be larger, even when there’s a barricade awaiting within the second spherical towards the Boston Celtics.
In the meantime, Bickerstaff has orchestrated one of many NBA’s most outstanding turnarounds, guiding the Pistons from simply 14 wins final season to 44 this yr. The Cleveland Cavaliers moved on from him and employed Kenny Atkinson as head coach, however Bickerstaff stays a Coach of the 12 months candidate for resuscitating one of many NBA’s dormant franchises.
“They’ve had a great season. I think JB’s done a great job there,” Thibodeau mentioned of Bickerstaff. “They added the really good veterans to complement the young players they have. A lot of their guys have made big steps. You look at the development of Duren and Stewart. The obvious one is Cunningham has played at a really high level. The added shooting has really helped. Shroeder was a really good pickup. Beasley has been unbelievable. Hardaway. They play both sides of the ball. And you have to be ready. Holland is a really good young player. Thompson is a terrific defender, athlete, runs the floor. They play hard.”
STAR POWER AND SUPPORTING CASTS
All eyes can be on two captains who can change a collection on their very own: New York’s Brunson and Detroit’s Cunningham.
Brunson, a 2025 Japanese Convention All-Star starter, averaged 26 factors and seven.3 assists. Cunningham matched that depth with 26.1 factors, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per sport.
“He’s had a terrific season. It’s not just [against] us, he’s done it against everybody. We understand that,” mentioned Thibodeau. “Every game that you have a team is going to have certain strengths. You have to have the proper amount of respect. With great players you don’t guard them individually, you guard them collectively. So we have to understand what goes into that.”
Cunningham averaged 30.8 factors and eight.3 assists on higher than 50% taking pictures from each the sphere and three-point vary in 4 video games towards the Knicks.
Brunson was equally efficient — 28.3 factors and eight assists on 51/42 taking pictures splits from the sphere and three — in these 4 matchups regardless of the Pistons utilizing size and physicality on the level of assault on protection.
“You guys see it every night. It doesn’t surprise you. I try not to take it for granted and I appreciate all [Jalen] brings to our team and that he plays to win,” mentioned Thibodeau. “His competitive spirit is spectacular. That’s all he wants to do and that’s all he’s ever been from when he was a little kid to where he is today. That’s what makes him who he is.”
However the collection could hinge on secondary battles. Harris, Beasley, and Hardaway give Detroit veteran management and scoring. For New York, Cities, Anunoby, and Bridges carry All-NBA and All-Protection credentials, with depth unmatched by Detroit.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
The Knicks maintain a substantial playoff expertise benefit.
In any case, that is the Pistons’ first time within the playoffs since 2019. The Knicks, in the meantime, are on their fourth run of their final 5 years. This is perhaps 12 months 1 of this iteration of the Knicks, however individually, New York has a number of key gamers boasting a wealth of playoff expertise:
Bridges and PJ Tucker competed towards one another within the 2021 NBA Finals. Tucker received his first title alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo that season
Brunson and Cities every made Western Convention Finals appearances. Cities rose his stage of play within the convention finals final season earlier than the Wolves traded him to the Knicks
Anunoby was injured in the course of the Toronto Raptors’ NBA title run however has playoff expertise. Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet have a wealth of playoff expertise, too.
And Delon Wright began playoff video games for the Miami Warmth final season
“I like the experience that we do have. We have good veterans that have been through things,” mentioned Thibodeau. “They’ve done a good job helping our younger guys understand what goes into it.”
In the meantime, the Pistons are of their first rodeo. Tucker alone almost has extra playoff expertise (104 video games) than Detroit’s two-most seasoned vets: Harris (62) and Dennis Schroder (68). Hardaway was a part of the Dallas Mavericks crew that made an NBA Finals look final yr, however playoff expertise in Detroit is minimal.
“It’s a completely different basketball game. Until you’re in it, it’s hard to understand it,” Bickerstaff mentioned. “We’ve been through this before. I say this to our coaches, at some point in time, we were all kids and didn’t listen to our parents, and we didn’t figure it out until we experienced it on our own. That’s what the playoffs are like. We can tell guys what to expect, but until they experience it themselves, you don’t understand just how different it is.”
THE CRITICAL MATCHUPS
The playoffs are all about matchups. There are two within the first spherical to regulate.
Anunoby vs. Cunningham
After Cunningham torched the Knicks averaging almost 31 factors per sport, count on defensive stopper Anunoby to step in.
Anunoby is aware of the duty however emphasizes teamwork:
“It’ll be a whole-team effort,” he mentioned. “Just collectively, try to make it as difficult as possible on him.”
Cities vs. Pistons’ Frontline (Duren and Stewart):
Cities will face relentless physicality from Detroit’s enforcers, Isaiah Stewart and Duren. Cities, infamous for foul hassle, understands the problem clearly: “Everybody has a plan until they get punched,” he mentioned. “Just execute at a high level offensively and defensively.”
X-FACTORS
Knicks: Mitchell Robinson — The Knicks’ defensive anchor missed each regular-season Pistons matchup as a result of damage. His return propelled the Knicks’ protection into the NBA’s top-10.
“Yeah, it’s going to be a dirty series. We’re going to get out there and fight,” he mentioned. “That’s the biggest part about it. Physicality with Detroit and us. It’s something we just have to bring.”
Pistons: Thompson — Detroit’s rising defensive irritant can be tasked with slowing down Brunson, one thing few have managed.
Thompson’s progress as a defensive stopper might shift collection momentum.
ADVANTAGES AND STRATEGIES
The Pistons rely closely on toughness and brute power. Tucker mentioned there’s just one means by a crew that performs with that stage of combat: “There’s no way to match the physicality other than to match it,” he mentioned. “We know what it’s going to be. Guys gotta step up to the challenge.”
The Knicks counter with sheer expertise depth. Thibodeau’s crew boasts a number of choices past Brunson, Cities, and Anunoby. Detroit lacks this stage of scoring versatility, particularly with out injured guard Jaden Ivey.
“Yeah for sure we’re here to help [Jalen]. We know that’s the thing with why we’re brought here,” mentioned Bridges. “It should make things so much easier for him.”
Detroit performs quick, ranked eleventh in tempo. New York prefers a deliberate half-court sport, ranked twenty sixth in tempo. Whichever crew controls tempo can have a major benefit.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Knicks are favored for a purpose: The Pistons are taking part in with home cash. Detroit may need a 3-1 document towards New York in 4 regular-season conferences, however the Knicks have the higher items. It’s a matter of whether or not or not the items have realized to suit alongside each other this season.
The Knicks ought to be capable to win this collection in six, possibly even 5 video games if they will steal Sport 3 on the street in Detroit.
Something lower than a decisive victory over Detroit might spell change for one of the costly rosters in all of basketball.
