Detroit Pistons Betting Preview
The Detroit Pistons will now be hoping to stave off elimination after falling painfully short to the Knicks in a controversial 94-93 home defeat in Game 4 on Sunday. Cade Cunningham led the team with a triple-double of 25 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Tobias Harris added 18 points with eight rebounds while Jalen Duren chipped in with six points, 17 rebounds and four assists.
As a team, the Pistons shot 42 percent from the field and seven of 29 from the 3-point line as they held the Knicks to just 14 points in the third quarter to overcome an early 16-point deficit. Only to miss out on a chance at the game-winning free throws after the referees missed a foul call on Tim Hardaway Jr who attempted the final shot of the game.
New York Knicks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are now just one win away from moving onto the second round after escaping with a narrow win in Game 4 on Sunday. Jalen Brunson led the team with 32 points and 11 assists on 13 of 26 shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns added 27 points with nine rebounds while Josh Hart chipped in with 14 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals. However, no other player scored more than eight points.
As a team, the Knicks shot just 37 percent from the field and 15 of 33 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in deep trouble when they wasted an early 16-point lead and fell behind by 11 points. Before they rallied in the fourth quarter to escape with the crucial road win in the end. Mikal Bridges shot just three of 12 for his eight points, while OG Anunoby shot just three of 13 from the field and zero of three from the 3-point line for his eight points.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Pistons have lost each of their last 21 games at Madison Square Garden following a home loss.
- The Knicks have won each of their last six games against the Pistons following a road win.
- The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Knicks have covered the spread in each of their last five games following a road win.
Why the Detroit Pistons will win
- The Pistons have won each of their last six Game 5s of an Eastern Conference First Round series.
- The Knicks have lost five of their last seven games as favorites against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight home games against Central Division opponents after winning as underdogs.
- The Pistons have covered the spread in seven of their last eight road games against Atlantic Division opponents following a loss.
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 missing Jaden Ivey, and they have Isaiah Stewart listed as questionable, while the Knicks are coming in with a full squad once again. The Knicks are so close to the second round, but the referees did admit after the game that they missed the game-deciding foul call on Sunday, so the series should really be tied here.
The Knicks expectedly open as favorites at home, but they were lucky to win on Sunday, and I can’t imagine anything but another close contest here. The Pistons are playing to stay alive now, and I think they can pull off the minor upset if they get off to a better start.