Knicks Enter Pistons Series as Clear Favorites

The New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons are set to renew their playoff rivalry after a 33-year hiatus, with Game 1 tipping off Saturday evening at Madison Square Garden. As the third seed facing the sixth-seeded Pistons, New York enters the series as the consensus favorite, though basketball experts debate just how challenging Detroit might make things for a Knicks team with championship aspirations.

The two historic Eastern Conference franchises haven’t met in the postseason since 1992, adding an element of nostalgia to this first-round matchup. While New York boasts more playoff experience, Detroit arrives with momentum after completing one of the most remarkable single-season turnarounds in NBA history.

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Experts Predict Orange and Blue Success

Basketball analysts overwhelmingly favor the Knicks to advance, though they differ on how many games the series will require. According to The New York Post, six basketball writers provided predictions for the series, with all picking New York to win—three predicting a six-game series, two foreseeing a dramatic seven-game battle, and one expecting a relatively comfortable five-game victory.

The confidence in New York stems from several advantages they hold over Detroit. “The Knicks have the talent advantage, coaching advantage and experience advantage,” noted one Post writer, summarizing the sentiment shared by many observers.

The Knicks’ playoff experience from recent postseason runs gives them a significant edge over a Pistons team that hasn’t tasted playoff basketball in several years. This experience factor could prove decisive in critical late-game situations when poise and composure become paramount.

Brunson vs. Cunningham: Star Power Showdown

At the center of this series is a compelling point guard matchup between New York’s Jalen Brunson and Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, two emerging stars with contrasting styles. Brunson’s playoff pedigree and clutch performances have established him as one of the league’s premier postseason performers, while Cunningham seeks to announce his arrival on the playoff stage.

“Brunson is the best player in this series, and he carries the Knicks past Detroit,” predicted one analyst, highlighting the widespread belief that New York’s floor general will be the most impactful player in the matchup.

Cunningham enters the series averaging an impressive 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game, according to CBS Sports. His ability to create offense for himself and teammates will be crucial for Detroit’s upset hopes, particularly given how he “has lit up” the Knicks during regular-season matchups.

New-Look Rosters Fuel Championship Dreams

Both franchises underwent significant roster transformations following disappointing 2023-24 campaigns. The Knicks added Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges while extending OG Anunoby, creating one of the league’s most formidable starting lineups. These additions have fueled New York’s fifth-ranked offense in points scored per possession.

“Their starting five has played more total minutes than any five-man lineup in the league,” notes CBS Sports, suggesting the Knicks’ chemistry advantage could prove significant in the playoff pressure cooker.

Meanwhile, Detroit’s remarkable improvement under coach J.B. Bickerstaff included adding veterans Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, and Tim Hardaway Jr. These additions, coupled with Cunningham’s continued development, helped the Pistons win 30 more games than last season—the sixth-largest single-season turnaround in NBA history.

Betting Markets Favor New York

Oddsmakers have installed the Knicks as 7-point favorites for Game 1, with the total set at 220.5 points. This substantial spread reflects New York’s perceived advantages, particularly at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks expect to feed off their notoriously passionate fanbase.

The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates games 10,000 times, leans toward the Over with a projected total of 222 points. This suggests both teams’ offenses may outperform expectations in the series opener.

Recent trends favor New York as well, with the Knicks winning seven of their last eight games as favorites. Conversely, Detroit has covered the spread just once in their last six road games, indicating potential challenges in the hostile Garden environment.

Source: https://www.nba.com/news/2025-nba-playoffs-standings-and-bracket-updates

Pistons’ Potential Path to Upset

Despite New York’s advantages, Detroit presents several concerns for the Knicks. The Pistons have played at a 50-win pace since mid-December and rank inside the top 10 on both ends of the court since February.

Their ninth-ranked point differential puts them in a category that has traditionally troubled New York, as the Knicks are just 6-16 against teams with top-10 point differentials this season. This statistical advantage gives Detroit legitimate upset potential if they can maintain their late-season form.

As Saturday’s 6:00 p.m. ET tipoff approaches, basketball fans prepare for what could be one of the most intriguing first-round matchups in this year’s NBA playoffs. The historic rivalry between these storied franchises adds another layer of intrigue to a series that promises competitive basketball and potentially series-defining performances from the stars on both sides.

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