Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks Prediction 4/21/25 NBA Picks

Detroit Pistons Betting Preview

The Detroit Pistons came into the series with plenty of confidence, but they will be hoping to bounce back and level the series after getting routed by the Knicks in a 123-112 road defeat in Game 1 on Saturday. Tobias Harris led the team with 25 points, six rebounds and two blocks, Cade Cunningham added 21 points with 12 assists, Malik Beasley scored 20 points off the bench while Tim Hardaway Jr chipped in with 19 points. As a team, the Pistons shot 47 percent from the field and 15 of 32 from the 3-point line as they got off to a solid start. They looked to be in control after they poured in 36 points in the third quarter to take a nine-point lead. But all their hard work went to waste in the fourth quarter where they got outscored by 40-21 to lose by double digits in the end. 

New York Knicks Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the New York Knicks will be gunning for a 2-0 series lead after taking care of business in an impressive comeback win in Game 1 on Saturday. Jalen Brunson led the team with a game-high 34 points and eight assists on 12 of 27 shooting, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 23 points each while Josh Hart chipped in with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists. As a team, the Knicks shot 52 percent from the field and 10 of 26 from the 3-point line as they battled the Pistons and looked to be in trouble when they trailed by nine points. Before they went on a ferocious 21-0 run in the fourth quarter to run past the Pistons and earn the solid double-digit win at home. 

Why the New York Knicks will win

• The Pistons have lost each of their last 13 Eastern Conference First Round games.
• The Knicks have won eight of their last nine playoff home games against Central Division opponents.
• The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as road underdogs.
• The Knicks have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games as home favorites.

Why the Detroit Pistons will win

• The Pistons have won eight of their last nine night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Knicks have lost four of their last six games as home favorites against Central Division opponents following a win.
• The Pistons have covered the spread in eight of their last nine night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven Monday night games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.

New York Knicks Player Facts

• Jalen Brunson ranks 8th amongst qualified players for points per game (26.0) this season.
• OG Anunoby ranks 5th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.5) this season.

Detroit Pistons Player Facts

• Ausar Thompson ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for steals per 36 minutes (2.7) this season.
• Cade Cunningham ranks 4th amongst qualified players for assists per game (9.1) this season.

Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks Prediction

The Pistons are still missing Jaden Ivey, and they are keeping an eye on Isaiah Stewart who is questionable for this one, while the Knicks don’t have a single player listed on their injury report. The Pistons will feel like they should’ve taken the series opener on Saturday, but instead they fell victim to a comeback from the Knicks which has them trailing in the series heading into Game 2. You get the feeling that the Pistons’ best chance of winning on the road would’ve been on Saturday, but they blew that opportunity and I don’t think they will get a better one in Game 2. The Knicks must be brimming with confidence following their big win on Saturday, and they are just so hard to beat when they get in a groove at home. The line is short enough, so I will stick with the Knicks to defend home court and earn the win and cover at the modest line. 

Peter Tran's Pick: New York -6.5