New York Knicks vs Detroit Pistons Picks and Predictions April 19th 2025

Knicks Eye Redemption, Pistons Seek Breakthrough in First-Round Showdown

The New York Knicks may have clinched the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, but their path through the 2024 NBA Playoffs begins with an all-too-familiar challenge: the vastly improved Detroit Pistons. After dropping three of four to Detroit in the regular season, New York opens the series Saturday at Madison Square Garden fully aware of what’s at stake — and who’s standing in their way.

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Knicks Boast Depth, Momentum — and Revenge on Their Mind

New York (51-31) finished with its best record in over a decade and reached 50 wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the mid-’90s. But none of that shields them from the fact that Detroit won three out of four matchups during the regular season.

“It doesn’t surprise you,” said coach Tom Thibodeau of Jalen Brunson’s return from injury. “His competitive spirit is spectacular.”

Brunson, who missed 15 games with an ankle injury, returned to action in the final stretch and enters the playoffs fully healthy. He averaged 26.0 points on 48.8 percent shooting this season, and after his dominant playoff debut in 2023 (averaging 35.5 PPG in Round 1), the Knicks will need every ounce of his firepower to counter Detroit’s resurgence.

New York enters this year’s playoffs better equipped, thanks to the additions of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. Towns, acquired in a blockbuster deal with Minnesota, averaged 24.4 points and a career-best 12.8 rebounds while posting 58 double-doubles. Bridges, picked up from Brooklyn, added balance and shot a clean 50 percent from the field.

Pistons Arrive With Confidence, Cunningham’s Star Ascending

The Pistons (No. 6 seed) are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and riding high after closing the regular season on a 19-12 run. Cade Cunningham’s breakout has been the catalyst. The 2021 No. 1 overall pick averaged 26.1 points this season and torched the Knicks for 30.8 per game in their four meetings.

“We’re ready to show the world what Detroit basketball is about,” said center Isaiah Stewart. “How we play, how we operate, and how we get it done.”

Cunningham delivered when it mattered, with a 36-point performance in the most recent meeting on April 10 and a triple-double in an early-season win at MSG. Detroit’s revival under coach J.B. Bickerstaff includes an 8-game win streak and a clear identity built around youth and toughness.

The Pistons also bring valuable postseason experience in veterans like Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, and Tim Hardaway Jr., who have played in a combined 208 playoff games. First-round pick Jalen Duren adds size and hustle to the mix as a versatile frontcourt piece.

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Series Storylines to Watch

• Brunson vs. Cunningham: Two elite guards, two different career arcs, one pivotal matchup.
• Towns’ Impact: Can KAT finally carry postseason success into the Garden spotlight?
• Detroit’s Playoff Losing Streak: The Pistons have dropped 14 straight playoff games dating back to 2009 — can they flip the script?

“We’re not just happy to be here,” Bickerstaff said. “We’re going to go out and compete our tails off.”

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A Classic Matchup With a New Narrative

This isn’t the Knicks-Pistons rivalry of the ’90s, but the energy is just as real. Detroit enters fearless, hungry, and capable of springing an upset. New York has the talent, depth, and home-court advantage — but also the pressure of expectation. Expect a physical, emotional, and tightly contested series that could go the distance.