New York Knicks vs Detroit Pistons First Round Playoffs Series Prediction, Player Props, Bets, & Stats

The NBA fans wait for the NBA Playoffs like the NFL fans wait for the Super Bowl. The Regular Season is merely an appetizer to the main course, that is, the NBA Playoffs. Teams play with all their strength and leave no stone unturned at the highest level. The battles between the middle playoff teams are the most interesting as the series can swing either way at a hat’s drop. On that note, here is a look at the upcoming first-round series between the third-seeded New York Knicks and the

New York Knicks vs Detroit Pistons Season Series & Preview

Interestingly, the Knicks lost the season series 1-3 against the Pistons. Their only win came in early November, when New York thumped Detroit by 30 points. After that, Pistons beat them by 9, 5, and 9 points in successive order. The Pistons scored in the 115-124 range during their wins and limited the Knicks to 111 and below in two of those games. Thus, they will enter the series with some edge here.

During the last losses, the Knicks had no answer for Cunningham. He rained 36, 29, and 36 points in the successive order, a huge reason behind Detroit’s dominance over New York. Meanwhile, before his injury, Knicks lead guard Jalen Brunson was also dominating the Pistons.

He had 30 or more in three straight games, but is he in the same mojo after the injury that caused him to miss multiple weeks? The Knicks will need him to be prepared to counter the Cunningham threat, or the series can flip. Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns also needs to play out of his skin to get a decisive advantage over Jalen Duren in the middle, which he most likely will.

Knicks Expected Starting Lineup

PG: Jalen Brunson | SG: Josh Hart | SF: Mikal Bridges | SF: OG Anunoby | C: Karl-Anthony Towns

Pistons Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Cade Cunningham | SG: Tim Haradaway Jr. | SF: Ausar Thompson | PF: Tobias Harris | C: Jalen Duren

New York Knicks Vs Detroit Pistons Playoff Player Props

Josh Hart to average over 9.6 rebounds per game for -115

Josh Hart tallied 9.6 RPG during the Regular Season. He accumulated similar numbers in the three games against the Pistons, and I expect him to average around 10 RPG.

OG Anunoby to average over 18.1 points per game for -115

The Knicks Wing has put up around 22 PPG in the last six weeks of the Regular Season and did a fantastic job of filling the void left by Brunson’s absence. He turned up with 16 PPG in three games against the Pistons, but I believe he will accumulate 19 PPG.

Cade Cunningham to average over 25.9 points per game for -115

Cunningham accumulated 26.1 PPG during the Regular Season and put on a show versus the Knicks. He averaged 30.5 points per game against the Knicks, and I believe he will hover around a similar number here.

Jalen Duren to average over 10.4 rebounds pr game for -115

Duren racked up 10.5 RPG during the Regular Season. He collected just 8.25 RPG against the Knicks in the Regular Season, but his current rhythm suggests he will be closer to the 11 RPG mark.

Main pick: Josh Hart to average O 9.6 rebounds per game for -115 at BetMGM

New York Knicks vs Detroit Pistons Series Prediction

Cunningham is New York’s biggest headache. His ability to take over games has burned the Knicks many times. NY must be craving for Jalen Brunson to rediscover his high-scoring ways, or they can be in trouble. But the ascension of OG Anunoby can quell some of their fears.

Meanwhile, KAT can also provide a distinguishable advantage in the middle, which can turn the tide in favor of his team. Overall, I expect the Pistons to give the Knicks a couple of hiccups, but the Knicks will probably win the series in six games.

New York Knicks to win the series: -350 at BetMGM

Photo Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

Shubham Singh

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Hi, I am Shubham. I am currently an NBA Predictions Writer on The Playoffs. I enjoy this job because it helps keep me in the loop about the game I love while fulfilling the pleasure I derive from stats. I got into NBA writing through social media interactions in the mid-2010s as I shared my takes on young talents such as D’Angelo Russell. I hope you enjoy reading my pieces as much as Dennis Rodman loved rebounding the basketball!