The NBA Playoffs are upon us and they are packed with close, exciting matchups. One of the more interesting Eastern Conference first round matchups will be the New York Knicks vs. the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks have the home court advantage, but the Pistons have nothing to lose and are feeling confident after winning just 14 games last season.
The Pistons won the regular season series between the two teams 3-1, but more playoff experience for the Knicks means this series could very well go to seven games, so let’s dive deeper into the matchup.
TOP NEWS
THE HEADLINE
Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson are both All-Star point guards that have been the backbone of their respective franchises. Their individual matchup is the biggest thing to monitor throughout the series. Cunningham shot a blistering 56.3% from the field and 52% from three against the Knicks this season. If New York allows him to have similar numbers in the first round, they could be making an early exit.
The same could be said about Detroit though, especially if Brunson can replicate his performance from last season’s playoff run.
THE MATCHUP
From a team perspective, the Knicks are the better squad on paper. They have a far better offensive rating with a slightly better overall net rating for the season. That isn’t to say this series won’t be a toss up, the Knicks have yet to reach the Conference Finals with this roster.
The Pistons are a young, athletic and gritty team that appears eager to prove themselves. With strong enforcers like Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren in the frontcourt bringing a new level of physicality, the series may become a battle of the bigs.
RELATED: NBA Play-In 2025 Preview: Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings
The X-Factor
Both squads’ success in this series could depend on an unlikely hero if Brunson and Cunningham are evenly matched. Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns could be exactly that for New York. Towns is in a similar situation as Julius Randle, the former Knick KAT was traded for. He has yet to prove himself as a playoff winner and could be the X-factor for New York in this series.
The Knicks have the opportunity to prove that their blockbuster trades have been worth it, and Towns is on the front line of a Knicks squad with one of the best offenses in the NBA.
On the other hand, Detroit has a strong defensive core in Duren, Stewart and Ausar Thompson that they can respond with.
In the end, this series is as likely to go to seven games as any other first-round matchup, but the Knicks are the slight favorites to move on to the next round.
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
