Pistons vs. Knicks | NBA Analysis, Odds, & Best Bets (4/21)

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are officially underway and today we start with the Knicks hosting the Pistons in New York City for Game 2 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 Monday, 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: Monday, April 21st, 2025
• Tipoff: 4:30 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 | Game 1 Recap 

Knicks vs. Pistons could turn into a classic.

Result: Knicks (123) – Pistons (112)

The Knicks and Pistons opened up their series on Saturday, live from Madison Square Garden. The Knicks came in ready, they’ve been here before and their experience showed; especially late in the game.

Cunningham sputtered in his postseason debut, scoring 21 points but taking 21 shots to do it. Cade was 38% from the field and shot 25% from beyond the arc, but did dish out 12 assists in the loss. Jalen Brunson led New York with 34 points with both OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns pitching in with 23 a piece.

New York scored 123 points, shot 53% from the field and even knocked down 39% of their 3-pointers. The Pistons weren’t far behind, shooting 48% from the field and an insane 47% from beyond the arc. So how’d they still manage to lose the game? Turnovers. 

Detroit turned the ball over 19 times in Game 1, directly resulting in 25 points the other way for New York. On the road, up 8 and just minutes from stealing Game 1; it’s these mental mistakes the Pistons will need to eliminate if they hope to have a chance in this series.

Knicks Steal Game 1…at Home?

The two teams were tied after the first quarter and went into the half with the Knicks leading by just 2 points. In the third quarter is when we saw the Pistons make their run. They finished the 3rd up 8 points but that was right before disaster.

Detroit gave up a 21-0 run in the fourth, letting an 8-point lead turn into a 13-point deficit with just under five minutes left to go. Their youth showed late in the game and a bad shooting night from their All-Star PG didn’t help.

Our Best Bets in Game 2 between the Pistons and Knicks

Jalen Brunson o6.5 Assists (-130 via BetOnline)

The Pistons gave up 123 points in the opening game, giving up 62 points in the painted area and allowing New York to shoot 53% from the field. Detroit also turned the ball over 19 times, resulting in 25 points and with this being the team’s 2nd playoff game, a little sloppiness is to be expected.

New York’s averaging 117.5 PPG at home this year, shooting 49% from the field and 37% from 3; as a team.

After watching Game 1, it was clear the Pistons don’t have any individual defender that can guard Jalen Brunson 1 on 1. Detroit threw Ausar Thompson at him to start the game, he picked up 2 quick fouls and had to hit the bench. Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Tobias Harris all got a chance but none were successful.

King of New York

Jalen Brunson lit up Madison Square Garden in Game 1 and capped it off with 12-points in the 4th quarter; helping lead his team to a 1-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Quarter-Final. He finished with 34 points, 8 assists and just 1 turnover; shooting 44% frm the field but 40% from beyond the arc.

Brunson’s finished with 7+ assists in 66% of his home games this year, averaging 7.6 APG on 13.1 potential assists per game.

If Detroit hopes to win this series, they’ll need to fin an answer for Brunson. In the second half of Game 1, we saw JB Bickerstaff make the switch to blitzing Brunson, double teaming him and making him give up the ball. It resulted in the Pistons taking their first significant lead of the game and I expect Bickerstaff to go to that early tonight.

Brunson finished with 8 assists in Game 1, with 5 of those assists coming in the second half. He’s cleared this line in 5 of his L8 games against Detroit and in all 5 games where he’s played over 30 minutes. Brunson turned the ball over once in Game 1, look for him to continue making good decisions here in Game 2. 

Malik Beasley o3.5 3s (-120 via BetOnline)

Malik Beasley plays basketball today, therefore I am obligated to bet on it. In Game 1, the Knicks allowed the Pistons to shoot 47% from beyond the arc; letting the Pistons hit 15 of their 32 attempts. Of those 32 attempts, 16 were open 3-point attempts and 9 of them were wide open 3-point attempts. 

New York was not good on the perimeter in Game 1 and it’s been a constant theme with this team this year. The Knicks rank 26th in opponent 3-point percentage and it’s translated over to the postseason.

The Pistons are young team and lack any playoff experience. Beasley’s one of the few guys with experience and it showed in Game 1. He finished with 20 points, 6 3s and shot 50% from beyond the arc. Look for more of that tonight.

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