Detroit Pistons Betting Preview
The Detroit Pistons were one of the surprise teams for most of the season, but they are coming into the postseason a little low on confidence after dropping six of their final eight games of the regular season. They finished with a 44-38 overall record.
Cade Cunningham led the team with averages of 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game, Malik Beasley played all 82 games and averaged 16.3 points per game, Tobias Harris averaged 13.7 points while Jalen Duren averaged 11.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. As a team, the Pistons scored 115.5 points per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from the 3-point line. Jaden Ivey was a bright spot for the team early in the season as he averaged 17.6 points in 30 games before he injured his left fibula.
New York Knicks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are coming into the playoffs with some decent momentum, as they had won eight of their last 13 games of the season to finish with a 51-31 overall record. Jalen Brunson led the team with averages of 26.0 points and 7.3 assists per game. Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, OG Anunoby averaged 18.0 points per game, Josh Hart averaged 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, while Mikal Bridges averaged 17.6 points per game. As a team, the Knicks scored 115.8 points per game while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from the 3-point line.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Pistons have lost each of their last 14 playoff games.
- The Knicks have won nine of their last 10 Eastern Conference First Round games against Central Division opponents.
- The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Knicks have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games as favorites.
Why the Detroit Pistons will win
- The Pistons have won each of their last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Knicks have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Pistons have covered the spread in each of their last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games against Central Division opponents following a win.
New York Knicks Player Facts
- Karl-Anthony Towns ranks 1st in the league for second chance points (305) this season.
- Josh Hart ranks 1st amongst qualified Guards for rebounds per game (9.6) this season.
Detroit Pistons Player Facts
- Malik Beasley ranks 1st amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (5.0) this season.
- Jalen Duren ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for FG% (69.2%) this season.
Knicks vs Pistons Prediction
The Pistons are still slightly shorthanded with Jaden Ivey still ruled out, while the Knicks are keeping an eye on Ariel Hukporti, who is questionable for this one. The Pistons kind of stumbled their way into the playoffs, but that doesn’t spoil an impressive record that has them matchup against a Knicks team who they’ve beaten in three of four meetings during the season.
The Knicks were always going to open as favorites in Game 1 at home, but I just feel that the line is a bit too hefty for this one. I still think that the Knicks are good enough to take care of business at home, but it just seems that the Pistons are undervalued in this spot. Give me the Pistons with the points in a game that should go down to the wire.