New York Knicks vs Detroit Pistons Prediction 4/24/25 NBA Picks

New York Knicks Betting Preview 

The New York Knicks must have been brimming with confidence following their comeback win in the series opener, but they are now hoping to bounce back after falling short to the Pistons in a 100-94 home defeat in Game 2 on Monday. Jalen Brunson led the team with 37 points and seven assists on 12 of 27 shooting, Mikal Bridges added 19 points while Josh Hart chipped in with 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists. As a team, the Knicks shot just 42 percent from the field and 10 of 35 from the 3-point line as they got off to another slow start and scored just 18 points in the first quarter to fall behind right away. They really didn’t sustain any sort of run until they trailed by 15 points late in the third quarter. 

Detroit Pistons Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons will be growing in confidence after they were able to steal home-court advantage with a gritty win in Game 2. Cade Cunningham led the team with 33 points, 12 rebounds and three assists on 11 of 21 shooting, Dennis Schroder added 20 points off the bench while Jalen Duren chipped in with 12 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. As a team, the Pistons shot 44 percent from the field and six of 27 from the 3-point line. However, this win was more about their defense as they held the Knicks to just 36 points in the first and third quarters combined to pull off the crucial road win despite a poor shooting game. Malik Beasley shot just two of nine for his nine points off the bench, while Tim Hardaway Jr finished scoreless on zero of eight shooting. 

Why the Detroit Pistons will win

• The Pistons have won four of their last five games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Knicks have lost five of their last six Game 3s of a playoff series.
• The Pistons have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.

Why the New York Knicks will win

• The Pistons have lost 15 of their last 16 playoff games.
• The Knicks have won each of their last six Eastern Conference First Round games against Central Division opponents following a loss.
• The favorites have covered the spread in 10 of the last 11 games between the Knicks and Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.
• The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against the Knicks after winning as underdogs.

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.

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.

New York Knicks vs Detroit Pistons Prediction

The Knicks are coming in with a full squad once again, while the Pistons are keeping an eye on Isaiah Stewart, who is questionable for this one. The Pistons were lucky to steal the series opener despite trailing for most of the game, but they weren’t so lucky in Game 2 on Monday. The Knicks struggled against the good teams in the league all season and that was on display again in this series, so I am slightly surprised to see them open as favorites in this one. Sure, the Knicks will come out swinging and Brunson will probably put up 40 points, but the Pistons have been solid on defense, and they could easily be up 2-0 in the series already. With that being said, I will lean towards the Pistons to get the crucial win at home in this one.

Peter Tran's Pick: Detroit +1.5