The New York Knicks host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first-round series at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM ET. The Knicks lead the series 3-1 and have a chance to close it out at home.
The last meeting between the teams was tight, with New York pulling out a 94-93 win in Detroit. The Pistons will need to win to send the series back to Detroit for a Game 6. The Knicks are looking to advance to the second round for the third year in a row.
Knicks Preview – Time to Close It Out at Home
The Knicks have leaned on Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns throughout the series. Brunson scored 32 points in Game 4 and is averaging 33.3 points per game in the series. Towns added 27 points and made the go-ahead three-pointer late in the last game.
New York has been strong in first quarters, hitting the 1Q moneyline in 15 of their last 17 games. They have also been tough at home with a 28-15 record during the regular season. The Knicks are looking to clinch a playoff series at home for the first time since 1999.
The Knicks’ defense has helped them stay in control even when the offense struggles. In Game 4, they shot just 37.4% from the field but still found a way to win. Josh Hart has been a big contributor, with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists last game.
Pistons Preview – Trying to Force a Game 6
The Pistons fought hard in Game 4, overcoming a 16-point deficit to take a late lead before falling short. Cade Cunningham has carried the offense, scoring 25 points with a triple-double in the last game. He is averaging strong numbers across the series and has been the team’s leader.
Detroit has done well early in games, hitting the 2Q game total over in 49 of their last 75 games. They have also hit the 1Q moneyline in 27 of their last 43 away games. The Pistons need more from players like Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr. to have a real chance.
Harris shot 6-for-15 in Game 4, while Hardaway struggled to find rhythm late. Detroit also needs to take better care of the ball and avoid scoring droughts, like the one that hurt them late in Game 4. They have shown they can battle but must close stronger.
Key Stats and Matchup Trends
New York finished the regular season with a 51-31 record and was 43-42-1 against the spread. Detroit ended at 44-38 and 43-41-2 against the spread. The Knicks have won 6 of the last 10 meetings, while the teams have split the last 10 against the spread evenly at 5-5.
Offensively, the Knicks average 115 points per game while giving up 111.4 points. Detroit scores 115 points per game but struggles a little more defensively, giving up 114.9 points. The Knicks rank top-10 in first quarter and first half scoring defense, an important edge in close playoff games.
The total for this game is set at 213.5 points. Four of the last six games between these teams have gone under the total. New York is a 5.5-point favorite as they look to end the series without needing a Game 6.
Betting Prediction
The Knicks are in a strong position to close out the series at home. Brunson is playing at a very high level, and Towns has found his rhythm over the past two games. New York has the better defense and has been better late in games when it matters most.
Detroit has shown fight but has trouble finishing games. Cade Cunningham will need a huge game, and the Pistons must limit mistakes late. Look for the Knicks to cover the spread and win a low-scoring, physical game at Madison Square Garden.
Pick: New York Knicks -5.5 over Detroit Pistons
