Pistons vs. Knicks | NBA Analysis, Odds, & Best Bets (4/19)

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are officially set to tip off today with the Knicks hosting the Pistons in New York City for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. 

For additional information on picks, props, money lines and more on today’s slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page, here. 

The Eastern Conference Quarterfinals tip off on Saturday, live from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 

Pistons vs. Knicks | Series Information

Matchup Information

• Location: Madison Square Garden; New York, New York
• Date: Saturday, April 19th, 2025
• Tipoff: 6:10 PM EST

(6) Detroit Pistons vs. (3) New York Knicks | Regular Season Matchups

• Knicks (106) @ Pistons (115) – 4/10/25
• Pistons (124) @ Knicks (119) – 1/13/25
• Pistons (120) @ Knicks (111) – 12/07/24
• Knicks (128) @ Pistons (98) – 11/01/24

Betting Odds

Odds via BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.

Pistons vs. Knicks | Analysis

Knicks vs. Pistons could turn into a classic.

The Bad Boy Pistons

The Bad Boy Pistons may be all the way back. This Detroit team has shown from the jump that they’re going to be physical and make you play their brand of physical, Detroit Basketball. Cade Cunningham’s led the charge for the Pistons, averaging 26.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 9.1 APG on his way to making his first All-Star appearance. 

With the injury to Jaden Ivey so early in the year, it looked like Detroit was going to need someone to step up and fill the hole left on offense; enter, Malik Beasley. Beasley’s been on a different planet this year, sitting 2nd among the entire league in made 3s this season and doing it off the bench.

Beasley’s been one of the biggest off-season additions for any team this year, immediately helping Detroit get back to the postseason for the first time since 2019. In addition to the shooting Detroit added in the summer, the hiring of Head Coach JB Bickerstaff fundamentally changed the culture here in Detroit.

Bickertstaff made it known in his introductory press conference, he’s here to bring back the physicality that comes with Detroit basketball.

Back, but not satisfied

The Knicks are back in the postseason for the third straight year and this is probably the most loaded roster they’ve had in that span. Jalen Brunson is averaging 26.0 PPG this year alongside Karl-Anthony Towns averaging 25/13 in his first year with New York.

OG Anunoby plaayed in 74 of the Knicks’ regular season games this year, something he hasn’t done since his rookie season with Toronto. Anunoby was the third leading scorer for the Knicks and the team’s go to defender for a majority of the year. Mikal Bridges isn’t far behind, averaging 17.6 PPG but shooting 50% from the field.

New York’s got plenty to bolster the starting lineup, but it’s their depth that’s kept them competitive this year. Despite Head Coach Tom Thibodeus’s reputation for running his starters heavy, guys like Miles McBride and Elfrid Payton have provided key minutes in big games this year.

For New York this year, the goal is an NBA Championship; the journey for that begins tonight at Madison Square Garden. 

Our Best Bets in Game 1 between the Pistons and Knicks

Karl-Anthony Town o3.5 Assists (+120 via BetOnline)

This is a spot we’ve targeted all year, Centers against Detroit.

The Pistons rank 27th in assists allowed to the 5-spot, allowing KAT to hit this line in 3 of his L4 games against the Pistons. In these 4 games, Towns is averaging 7.3 potential assists per gam, despite playing under 31 minutes in 3 of the 4 games.

Detroit’s 2-man front court of Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart can be a little intimidating, to put it lightly. They rank in the top-3 of rebounds allowed to the C position and top-13 in points allowed to the position. The Pistons have allowed 4+ assists to 6 of the L8 starting Cs they’ve faced this year, one of those being Towns with 5 assists.

KAT’s the X-Factor in this series and I fully expect JB Bickerstaff to gameplan accordingly. If the Pistons are able to neutralize the big man, they’ll fair a better chance at upsetting the Knicks in Round 1. 

Malik Beasley o13.5 Points (-105 via BetOnline)

Malik Beasley plays basketball today, therefore I am obligated to bet on it. Beasley’s in his 9th year in the league, on his 6th different team and funny enough he’s one of the vets on this Pistons team. He also happens to be the team’s 2nd leading scorer with Jaden Ivey out for the year and finished 2nd among all players in 3s made.

Beasley’s the first ever bench player to hit 300 3s in a single season and became the Pistons all time leader in single-season 3s made. He’s having the type of season players dream of and he’s doing it on a 1-year deal with the Pistons for just $6 million. Beasley bet on himself and he’s now both him and the Pistons are reaping the rewards.

The Pistons are young team and lack any playoff experience. Beasley’s one of the few guys with significant time played in the postseason, last year shooting 44% from beyond the arc in 6-games for the Bucks. He played just 21 MPG in that series but this year with Detroit should see that jump significantly.

Beasley averaged 28 MPG this year with the Pistons and over his L10 games that gone up to just under 30 MPG. With his experience in the postseason and his experience against New York, look for Beasley to come out firing tonight.

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