For three quarters of Game 1, the Detroit Pistons looked every bit a live underdog, but the New York Knicks soared back, and now they can take a firm grip on the series in tonight’s Game 2.
New York covered the spread on Saturday despite a 47% shooting night from deep for Detroit, and my Pistons vs. Knicks predictions see the hosts tightening the screw here.
Take a closer look at this Monday, April 21 clash with my free NBA picks.
Who will win Pistons vs Knicks Game 2?
There were some nervy moments for the New York Knicks on the weekend, but their offense came to the rescue just in time — and it’s hard not to feel like the Detroit Pistons let one get away.
That weekend wake-up call should spark a sharper New York performance, and the hosts were 27-14 at MSG during the regular season. Look for more home cooking tonight.
Pistons vs Knicks prediction
My best bet: Knicks -6.5 (-110 at bet365)
If the Knicks are going to make a deep playoff run, and have any shot in a potential matchup with the Boston Celtics in the next round, they’ll have to play much better than they did for chunks of Game 1.
But that feels like a reasonable expectation going into Game 2. The Knicks’ fourth-quarter fireworks served as a reminder that their top gear is beyond anything the Pistons can reach, and their postseason experience trumps a youthful Detroit roster.
Look for Tom Thibodeau to use New York’s rougher defensive moments — including some woeful possessions in the third quarter — to shake his team into a better effort here, and there’s no excuse for the Knicks to have lapses on that end of the floor when they can call on OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.
There were positives for Cade Cunningham and the Pistons in Saturday’s loss, including a terrific first half from Tobias Harris, but a 21-0 New York run was costly, and I’m wagering on the hosts’ talent edge to come through again tonight. The Knicks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 contests, and they’ve cashed the 1H moneyline in 11 of their past 14 outings.
Though a repeat of Cam Payne’s 14-point jolt feels unrealistic, I’m counting on more production from Bridges — eight points in Game 1 — and a more efficient night for Jalen Brunson, who missed 15 of his 27 shots.
Detroit has dropped five of its last six games on the road, and this feels like a chance for New York to put the visitors on the back foot early.
Pistons vs Knicks same-Game parlay
Knicks -6.5
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 23.5 points
Malik Beasley Over 14.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t seem overly impressed with the Pistons’ confidence that Harris could guard him one-on-one, and his 10-for-14 shooting night reflects that mismatch. But, if anything, the Knicks could probably go to the Big Bodega more often in Game 2.
With Isaiah Stewart hampered by a knee injury and Jalen Duren always a candidate for foul trouble, Detroit doesn’t have many cards to play against Towns — and KAT’s outside stroke is such a difference-maker. He’s only knocking down his 3-pointers at a 30% clip so far in April, down from 41% in March, but he’s gone past this 23.5 points line in four of his past six games.
Malik Beasley didn’t miss a beat in Game 1 with 20 points off the bench, going 6-for-12 from beyond the arc, and he’s blown past this O/U line in his last three games.
The vast majority of Beasley’s buckets come on 3-pointers, and he made 42% of his triples this season while attempting nine per game. As the Knicks are drawn into the paint to corral Cunningham, that’ll open space for Detroit’s premier sharpshooter.
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Pistons vs Knicks odds
Pistons vs Knicks live odds
Pistons vs Knicks opening odds
- Spread: Detroit +6.5 (-110) | New York -6.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Detroit +210 | New York -260
- Over/Under: Over 221.5 (-110) | Under 221.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Pistons vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis
- Detroit is 1-5 in its last six games.
- The Knicks have won seven of their last 10 matchups against the Pistons.
- New York has hit the 1H Under in 25 of its last 40 games, but the Over is 7-3 in the past 10 meetings between these teams.
- Detroit has cashed the team total Over in 26 of its past 35 road contests.
Pistons vs Knicks trend
The Pistons are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Knicks.
How to watch Pistons vs Knicks
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Monday, 4-21-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT |
Pistons vs Knicks latest injuries
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