On Thursday, 05/01, the Detroit Pistons (2-3) will host the New York Knicks (3-2) for Game 6 in the Playoffs’ First Round. The Pistons fought back brilliantly in Game 5, pinching out a 3-point win (106-103). Can they level the series in a second must-win game in a row? Read through the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
Pistons show their resilience again
The Pistons recovered brilliantly from their Game 4 heartbreak. It was yet another close game as no team could build a big lead. The Knicks had only a one-point lead entering the second half. The Pistons turned it around with a 28-24 third quarter in their favor.
The game remained tied for most parts in the fourth quarter. However, Pistons’ lead guard Cade Cunningham kept making crucial clutch buckets. Ausar Thompson made a crucial bucket with 27 seconds left in the game to give the Pistons a 6-point lead.
Mikal Bridges answered with a three, but then Dennis Schroeder was fouled and converted one of the two free throws. OG Anunoby brought the team back with another triple with seven seconds to spare.
Down by 1, the Knicks had to foul Cunningham, who made two huge free throws. Then Thompson committed a smart foul with 2 seconds left to deny the Knicks a chance to get a three-point attempt.
Miles McBride missed the first free-throw and had to miss the second for an offensive rebound. But the Pistons didn’t allow a shot at the buzzer to seal the deal.
Detroit had a significant free-throw advantage over New York, they made 26/36 while the Knicks made 16/27(57%). New York should have shot much better from the charity stripe. The number of free throws indicates the physicality level.
Moreover, did the refs compensate for a missed last-second call in Game 4 by giving Detroit more free throws? It’s likely to balance the scales,
Knicks Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Jalen Brunson | SG: Josh Hart | SF: OG Anunoby | SF: Mikal Bridges | C: Karl-Anthony Towns
Key bench players: SG: Miles McBride, C: Mitchell Robinson, PG: Cameron Payne.
Injuries/Updates: Nothing significant to report
Pistons Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Cade Cunningham | SG: Tim Hardaway Jr. | SF: Ausar Thompson | PF: Tobias Harris| C: Jalen Duren
Key bench players: SG: Malik Beasley, PG: Dennis Schroeder, C: Isaiah Stewart
Injuries/Updates: Nothing significant to report
The last game produced 209 points, the third-highest mark in the series. We have seen two battles below 200 and two battles over 230. Thus, there have been a variety of scorers.
As we head to Game 6 in a series with fine margins, the defense will get tighter as both teams will look for a clutch finish. Thus, I would give the “under” here.
Jalen Brunson to score over 30.5 points: Brunson struggled in Game 5 with a 4/16 shooting night, which hampered his team’s chances. Before that, he scored 30 or more in each game. I see him bounce back with such a performance here.
Jalen Duren to grab over 11.5 rebounds: Duren has expectedly been active on the boards during the series. He had 14 in Game 5, whereas 17 in Game 4. I see him continuing the trend
Mikal Bridges to score over 16.5 points: Bridges has averaged 14.4 PPG in the series. But he has scored 17 or more in three of the last four games. I see him hitting a similar range here.
Main pick: Jalen Brunson O 29.5 Points for -105 at BetMGM
This has been a series of dreams. The last four games have been decided by 6 points or fewer, and there is not much that separates the teams. Interestingly, the away team has won two games. Thus, the home-court advantage has mattered little.
On that note, I see the Knicks unlocking one of the best performances of the season here, especially on the defensive end. I believe they will win by 4-6 points here, but would stick to Money Line prediction considering the close nature of the series.
Safe Spread Pick: Money Line: Knicks for +110 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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