Knicks vs Pistons NBA Analysis, Odds, and Best Bet (5/1)

The Pistons waited 6 years to return to the NBA playoffs and it might be over already. Detroit avoided elimination on Tuesday by winning in New York inside the Mecca of Basketball. Now they look to stave off elimination again at home. Let’s talk hoops.

Game Information

• Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI
• #3 New York Knicks visit the #6 Detroit Pistons
• Previous Matchup: DET 106-103 April 29th, 2025
• Knicks Lead the Series 3-2

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The Big Bodega needs to be better for the Knicks to close out this series tonight.

New York Knicks @ Detroit Pistons

The Knicks went up 3-1 in this series but the Pistons weren’t going to just go away quietly. After losing two games they pulled up in New York ready to ball. The Knicks won some key battles on the stat sheet but still came up short. You don’t lose often when your opponent shoots 27.6% from three and you won the rebounding and turnover battle. Tom Thibodeau’s team is supposed to be in contention. They can’t afford to have this series extended any further.

But it could because of Cade Cunningham.

The former first overall pick has been sensational. Cade is averaging 40.4 minutes per game in the conference quarter finals. Additionally, the Oklahoma St. alumni has been on triple double watch every single time he hits the hardwood. He’s stuffed the stat sheet with 8.6 rebounds per game and 8.8 assists per game. However, nobody is perfect. Cunningham is shooting just 25% from beyond the arc while also turning the ball over at an alarming rate. He averages 5.8 turnovers a game in the series. Moreover, he was 6-17 from the field last game and if he didn’t shoot 11-12 from the free throw line then the Pistons would have lost Tuesday’s game.

Cade Cunningham (24 PTS) and the Pistons came out on top in a back-and-forth Game 5 with 18 lead changes and 16 ties.

Detroit aims to force a Game 7 while New York looks to close it out.

Game 6: Tonight at 7:30pm/et on TNT! pic.twitter.com/X85VJ7g89M

— NBA (@NBA) May 1, 2025

NBA Games Analysis

The Knicks need to feature the Big Bodega more heavily. That is on Tom Thibodeau. Karl-Anthony Towns is putting up 50% shooting from three. However, the volume is insanely low. He’s making 2.4 threes per game on just 4.8 attempts. It is a little confounding that one of the best shooters in these playoffs isn’t letting it fly more. In games three and four he shot 7 and 8 attempts and the Knicks won both games. Conclusively, New York’s path the victory, and success in these playoffs, needs Karl-Anthony Towns to play up to the high standard he’s set for himself.

New York should also try to slow the pace. They are the more veteran team and they have the 2025 NBA Clutch player of the year in Jalen Brunson. Thibodeau will want this game at the Knicks pace. Additionally, the under hit in 8 of the New York Knicks last 11 games on the road.

On Tuesday night the Pistons got lucky. They escaped New York with a win that probably wasn’t deserved. If they want to stave off elimination again here then they’ll need to clean up several aspects of their game. They need to limit turnovers while still getting out into the break. Detroit won the fast break scoring battle in both of their wins. Now? At home? The Pistons need to rev their engine and get out into the open floor. New York was only 20th in defending the paint in the regular season. Cade and company need to run and gun and put pressure on the rim.

Karl-Anthony Towns on the physicality of the Knicks-Pistons series

“This is great for kids watching who haven’t been able to see old-school basketball to see this kind of reminiscent game of old school physicality. I’m just honored to be part of it” pic.twitter.com/3llx2vlCjh

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 27, 2025

Key Outlier.Bet Insights

• The Detroit Pistons are 1-5 in their last 6 games at home.
• The Detroit Pistons are 1-5 against the spread in their last 6 games at home.

NBA Best Bet: Knicks +1.5 (-110)

In conclusion, it pains me to say that I think the Pistons lose tonight and their season ends. This series has been tightly contested but New York is the better team. So, I’m taking the road dog.

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Bonus for Peepin’ the Scribbles: Karl-Anthony Towns 2+ Threes & Cade Cunningham 4+ Turnovers (+155)

Like the Analysis? Check out our Outlier.Bet review! 

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