Knicks vs Pistons Playoffs 1st Round What To Know
Fresh off back-to-back 50-win seasons for the first time since 1995, the Knicks enter a first-round playoff battle with the Pistons—their first postseason meeting since 1992, when NYC ended “Bad Boys”
Shoutouts to my Guy Ant on Twitter for the Brunson/Kat Marvel Graphic
The New York Knicks are preparing to face the Detroit Pistons in Round 1 of the playoffs. The Pistons finished the season 44-38 and secured the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. While Detroit has shown growth, the Knicks have clear advantages they can capitalize on in this matchup.
Pistons Strengths
Detroit is an aggressive offensive team:
They score 115.5 points per game, ranking 12th in the NBA.
Their 2-point field goals made (29.9) are ranked 7th, which shows they are effective inside the arc.
The Pistons thrive in transition, averaging 18.5 fast break points per game, second-best in the league.
With 26.4 assists per game, they move the ball well and are ranked 15th in the league.
Their bench contributes heavily with 40.2 points per game, good for 6th in the NBA.
Pistons Weaknesses
Detroit’s defense and shooting efficiency present exploitable flaws:
Opponents shoot very well from three against them, as they are ranked 25th in opponent 3-point percentage.
They rank 17th in defending second chance points.
Their transition defense is suspect, allowing the 19th most fast break points.
They struggle at the free throw line, shooting just 77.4%, which is 20th in the league.
Detroit commits 20.7 fouls per game, ranking 27th.
Malik Beasley is their only consistent shooter, hitting over 40% from three.
Knicks Game Plan
Crash the offensive glass – The Pistons are vulnerable to second chance scoring, ranking 17th in that area. New York must dominate the boards and look for extra possessions.
Push the pace – With Detroit ranked 19th in transition defense, the Knicks should look to run early and often to score easy buckets.
Target Beasley defensively – Force Malik Beasley off the three-point line and make him score inside the arc. He’s most dangerous when catching and shooting.
Neutralize Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. – The Knicks can’t afford to let either get hot from deep. Run them off the line and force tough twos.
Let Dennis Schröder shoot – Schröder has shot just 30% from three in his career against the Knicks. Go under screens and bait him into deep shots.
Key Defensive Matchups
Cade Cunningham – The former No. 1 pick is the focal point of the Pistons’ offense. The Knicks need to:
Force Cade left, where he is less efficient:
Shoots 36.4% from left-center midrange.
Shoots just 33.3% from the left corner three.
Mikal Bridges vs Cade this season:
21:05 matchup minutes
19 points on 8-for-21 shooting (38.1% FG)
3-for-5 from three (60%)
2 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks
112 team points created
OG Anunoby vs Cade this season:
5:58 matchup minutes
19 points on 7-for-11 shooting (63.6% FG)
2-for-5 from three (40%)
4 assists, 1 turnover
52 team points created
Bridges is the better matchup to start with. His length and agility allow him to contest Cade’s shots effectively while disrupting playmaking.
Asur Thompson – Thompson shoots just 22.4% from three. When Brunson is on him, he should sag off and force him into pull-ups, where he hits only 18.2%.
Tobias Harris – In last year’s playoffs, Josh Hart held Harris to just 9.0 points per game. Hart’s physical defense can follow the same plan.
Karl-Anthony Towns vs Jalen Duren – While not officially a Knick, if Towns were available or in the mix, his polish and skill level should allow him to either dominate or neutralize Duren’s production.
Jalen Brunson – The Key to the Series
Jalen Brunson’s all-around efficiency makes him the most important player in this series. His ability to score from multiple levels and create for others can dismantle Detroit’s defensive schemes.
Season averages:
26.0 points per game
48.7% FG | 82.1% FT | 38.3% from three
7.3 assists per game
Assist Ratio: 23.5 | Assist %: 31.8 | Assist/TO: 2.90
Shooting Splits:
Catch and Shoot 3PT%: 42.1%
Pull-up 3PT%: 37.1%
Above the Break 3PT%: 37.9%
Corner 3PT%: 50%
Shot Chart FG%:
At the rim: 64.2%
Bank shots: 62.7%
Floaters: 54.0%
Pull-ups: 43.0%
Drives: 56.0%
Fadeaways: 48.0%
Step backs: 54.0%
Jumpers overall: 51.4%
Layups: 61.4%
Reverses: 80.0%
Transition: 61.7%
Vs Detroit this season (4 games):
28.3 points per game
51.2% FG | 41.9% 3PT
7.8 assists | 2.8 rebounds | 1.0 steal | 0.5 blocks
Brunson’s midrange game is especially lethal in the playoffs, where defenses tighten. His ability to read coverages, control pace, and make the right play will be the deciding factor in this series.
Thankyou for reading another State Article I have the Knicks in 7 officially this will be a tough series but the Knicks will win I garuntee it.