The New York Knicks host the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round series on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The game tips off at 7:30PM ET. New York leads the series 1-0 after a big fourth-quarter comeback in Game 1.
The Knicks won the first game 123-112, outscoring Detroit 40-21 in the fourth quarter. The Pistons are trying to stop a 15-game playoff losing streak that goes back to 2008. New York is looking to take a 2-0 series lead for the second straight year.
Knicks Preview – Looking for Another Strong Finish
New York finished the regular season at 51-31 and went 28-14 at home. They ranked 10th in the league in points allowed at 111.7 per game. On offense, the Knicks averaged 115.5 points per game, ranking 13th overall.
Jalen Brunson led the way in Game 1 with 34 points and 8 assists. He has now posted 12 career 30-point playoff games with the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns added 23 points and 11 rebounds, while OG Anunoby scored 23 points and had 5 steals.
New York forced 21 turnovers in Game 1 and had a huge 21-0 run in the fourth quarter. Cameron Payne gave a big lift off the bench with 14 points, including 11 in the final period. The Knicks shot 70.8% from the field in the fourth and outscored Detroit by 19.
Pistons Preview – Trying to Bounce Back in Game 2
Detroit went 44-38 in the regular season and improved by 30 wins from the previous year. They finished 22-20 on the road and rank 13th in scoring at 115.5 points per game. Defensively, they gave up 111.7 points per game, which ranked 10th.
Tobias Harris scored 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting in Game 1. Cade Cunningham added 21 points and 12 assists, but shot just 8-for-21. Jalen Duren had 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks, but was limited by foul trouble down the stretch.
The Pistons committed 21 turnovers in Game 1 and were outscored 40-21 in the final 12 minutes. They had a four-minute scoring drought in the fourth that allowed New York to pull away. Isaiah Stewart only played 48 seconds in the fourth after picking up his fifth foul early.
Betting Prediction
The Knicks are 6-point favorites at home with the total set at 219.5. New York has covered in three of their last four games against the Pistons. Detroit will need to limit turnovers and improve their late-game defense to stay close.
New York has the edge in depth and playoff experience. They’ve also been strong at home. If the Knicks get another solid effort from their bench and force turnovers again, they should cover. Look for a score around 116-106 in favor of New York.
Pick: New York Knicks -6 over the Detroit Pistons in Game 2.
Look for the Knicks to grab this one and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. The lights just may be too bright for a Detroit team that was a surprise to get into the postseason. The Knicks beat the Pistons on Monday in the National Basketball Association.
