Knicks vs. Pistons Round 1: What to Expect

With the Indiana Pacers falling to the Orlando Magic earlier on Friday night (129-115), the New York Knicks (50-31) clinched the third seed in the Eastern Conference, and now they're gearing up for a first-round clash with the sixth-seeded Detroit Pistons.

New York are suiting up for a first-round playoff showdown against a team that's clawed its way back into the postseason for the first time since 2019, the Detroit Pistons. Just a season ago, this same franchise hit rock bottom with a brutal, record-setting 28-winless campaign.

However, since last year, the Pistons have undergone a serious transformation. Their starting five line-up has changed into a formidable force, adding seasoned sharpshooters like Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris, and Tim Hardaway Jr., surrounding a re-energized Jalen Duren and the ever-explosive dynamic playmaking of All-Star guard Cade Cunningham. The result? Detroit led the regular-season series against New York, 3-1.

Still, the Knicks aren't exactly the same group either. They've made major moves of their own during the off-season, bolstering their core with some new additions like our dominant big man, Karl-Anthony Towns, and our mid-range maestro, Mikal Bridges.

With the stage set and both teams armed, let's dive into the key matchups and strategic adjustments that the Knicks need to make to punch their ticket to the second round.

Jalen Brunson vs. Cade Cunningham: Backcourt Brilliance Under Pressure

When the spotlight shines on playmaking, the battle between Jalen Brunson and Cade Cunningham becomes the blueprint of this series.

Beyond his reputation for clutch performances, Jalen Brunson is well-known for his aggressive finishing and an explosive first step. As we saw on Friday night against Detroit, Brunson used his quick first step to attack the baseline, often finishing through contact with a mix of physicality and finesse, taking advantage of brief defensive lapses or taking in pressure from bigger defenders at the rim. His aggressiveness and fearless tenacity not only allow him to generate his own shots, but force the Pistons' defenders into quick reactive switches (the kind of adjustments that are difficult to execute on the fly).

But, Brunson isn't without his flaws too. While his relentless drives have been proven to be a major asset, they can also lead to damaging turnovers when he's forced into rushed decisions. On Friday night, Detroit's quick defensive switches occasionally isolated JB, resulting in a number of miscues and giveaways under pressure.

Similarly, Cunningham's vision and versatility highlight his ability to orchestrate the offense by using timely pick-and-rolls and causing mayhem with his step-back jumpers to create space. Averaging 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds, his multifaceted game places him as a constant threat from anywhere on the floor. You could definitely say that Cunningham's leadership has also helped steer Detroit's ship out of a long drought and toward becoming a strong playoff team.

Although Cunningham's playmaking is top-tier, his predictability when driving through traffic can be problematic (especially under tight-knit defensive pressure from players like Miles McBride). During effective, switch-heavy defenses, Cade is often forced into contested shots that, at times, lack efficiency and ultimately fail to plummet through the basket.

Overall, both guards have excelled throughout the regular season, but they'll need to bridge their struggles if they want to make it to the second round of the playoffs.

Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Jalen Duren: Clash in the Paint

The interior dog-fight between the Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns and the Pistons' Jalen Duren is set to be a pivotal matchup.

Dialling into KAT's unique style of play, his dual-threat offense is what helps the Knicks secure their wins. For example, Towns utilizes well-timed screens from teammates like Precious Achiuwa to generate separation, enabling him to rain down deep threes and confuse defenders out of position. His impeccable range dismantles defenders, which not only opens up driving lanes for himself but also serves as an advantage for his teammates. But defensively? It’s rough. To say it’s “unflattering” might be too kind of me. He painfully struggles with lateral movement, is typically late on help in rotations, and appears lost way too many times during drop coverage. Not only that but, he can get pretty lazy when contesting shots too, which is unfortunate to say the least.

That said, does he need to be a defensive monster? Maybe not. But he does need to be well-adept. Right now, the line between “meh” and “a liability” carries weight for a team in the first round. Even modest improvement such as smarter positioning, better contest timing, could go a long way for New York.

On the other page, Duren's size, energy, and offensive presence are hard to ignore. Though he struggled earlier in the season, he's made a name for himself (especially after growing over the last two to three months). He also complements Cunningham well, placing him as a viable pick-and-roll partner. In his recent game against the Knicks, he tallied 18 points and 13 rebounds, while shooting 100% from the field. He's also assisted Cunningham countless of times (the most actually).

When defenders focus on Duren, it opens up the paint for Cade to drive in or create space for outside shooters to knock down open looks. Duren's defensive game has additionally grown significantly since the beginning of the season. Back in his rookie year, Detroit ranked 28th in defensive efficiency, and there wasn't much of a jump during his second year (ranked 26th). In fact, Detroit performed worse with Duren at the five than when he was sidelined.

Now, he's displaying prolific rim protection and rebounding prowess, averaging 10.5 boards per game. However, his free-throw shooting has taken a bad hit (dropping from 79.0% last season to 66.9% this year). He can also be somewhat prone to turnovers, once recording six TOs against Oklahoma on April 2. And while his paint presence on both ends is improving vastly, he'll be tested against a tough matchup like KAT. So, while Duren is clearly excelling, the real question is his consistency: can he maintain this level up for a potential full seven-game series against the Knicks? Well, that remains to be seen.

The only question right now is: can Mitch and KAT coexist together out there? As of yet, there’s only been a handful of minutes where they’ve shared the court. But in those limited stretches, you can definitely spot the potential. Mitch roaming freely all while KAT stretches the floor. Not bad at all for a duet. Especially with Mitch recording a double-double (13 points and 11 rebounds vs. the Spurs) and 10 points with 9 rebounds (vs. Miami Heat).

Knicks' Defense: Can They Keep Up?

Despite Duren's intensity, not all hope is lost. When it comes to OG Anunoby’s defense, he’s a difference maker. His initiative and intensity allows him to fight through screens effectively, causing chaos in passing lanes, and forcing turnovers from quick, strategic steals. He can even surprise you here and there with his phenomenal three-point shooting from the corner. He’s even cemented his name with double digits in the last thirteen games in a row (as high as 32 points against the Phoenix Suns). With OG hustling out there, the Knicks' defensive rotations are sharper, and there’s a noticeable lift in spacing and physicality.

Let’s not forget Mikal Bridges either, who’s known for his elite perimeter defense. Yes, he’s been putting up some solid numbers and even belted in a game-winner in overtime against the Portland Blazers. But, at what cost do we have to pay to keep him consistent? He looks alarmingly scary against teams that have struggled in the regular season, yet in dynamic matchups, he tends to disappear. That said, I'll give him his credit where it's due. In all four games against Detroit, he deserves his praise since he's averaged 19.75 points along with 3.5 assists and rebounds. Other than Bridges, when healthy, the Knicks always have the formidable Josh Hart. The same player who never gives up on a play, hustles for second-chance points, and creates havoc amongst the crowd with his quick feet on fast-breaks.

Bench Brawl: Depth That Can Swing the Series

During playoff contention, bench contributions can be a difference-maker between winning and losing close games.

The Knicks' bench, for example, brings a burst of energy, constant off-ball movement, and hustle like none other. Although inconsistent, Achiuwa's recent game against the Pistons showcased his persistent pursuit of loose balls and his tendency to finish transition plays with sky-scraping energy. Deuce also has a knack for smart off-ball cuts, producing extra scoring opportunities whenever the starting five need a breather. And of course, Deuce's defence and three-point barrages are nothing to take lightly.

Lest we not forget the one and only, Landry Shamet, who has risen from the depths of the shadows. After a string of rocky performances, Shamet has stepped up in crucial moments. For instance, he drilled down two much-needed treys against Detroit in the fourth quarter before Coach Tom Thibodeau pulled him out of the game. That said, the team has occasionally struggled when the bench lacks defensive synchronization, leading to momentum lapses during critical stretches of the game.

As for the Pistons bench, they provide instant offense and quick rotations. Their reserves' like Malik Beasley, who offers bursts of shooting from beyond the arc, forces the Knicks to stay on their toes defensively and make swift adjustments accordingly. However, while the bench can set the tone with scoring runs, these efforts often dissipate too quickly, allowing the Knicks to regroup and capitalize on fast-break opportunities.

Overall, timely substitutions could be a decisive factor in this series, influencing the game's pace during its most critical moments.

Strategic Adjustments for the Knicks

Beyond individual matchups, the defense, and the second units, the Knicks must address the elephant in the room: their inability to close out games. In their last five games, New York has squandered significant leads:

• A 23-point lead against Cleveland

• A 13-point lead against Detroit

• A 11-point lead against Boston

• A 15-point lead against Cleveland (again)

• A 14-point lead against the Los Angelos Clippers

To pinpoint, as I like to call it, their 'third quarter of doom,' it continues to represent as the Knicks' Achilles' heel. After keeping up substantial leads in the first half, the Knicks have repeatedly depleted them in the third quarter.

Some suggested adjustments as the first round comes knocking on the Knicks' door should include: improved third-quarter game management (such as a line-up with more defensive grit featuring Deuce and making timely time-out calls), enhanced transition defense and clearer communication, strategic substitutions to maintain intensity (keeping hot-handed players in, regardless of starter status), a more conservative offensive approach in late-game situations (prioritizing high-percentage shots and drawing fouls), and a full-court effort to secure victories and refrain late-game comebacks by Detroit.

Final Thoughts

This series between the Knicks vs Pistons isn't just about impressive individual performances; it's a chess match of tactical adjustments, high-pressure moments, and mental resilience. From Brunson's emphatic drives vs. Cunningham's intelligent playmaking, and from Towns' offensive talent pitted against Duren's rising game, every facet of the series will be monitored closely.

Yet perhaps the most important factor will be the Knicks' ability to close out games, a lingering concern as seen repeatedly from multiple blown double-digit leads, especially in the third quarter. If New York can sharpen their communication, improve their in-transition defense, and execute fundamental clutch strategies down the stretch, they stand a much better chance to convert early leads into playoff success.

With the series looming just around the corner, every shot, pass, screen, and rotation will be under the microscope. If all goes according to plan, the Knicks won't just be building leads, but they'll be defending them with conviction until the final buzzer. All in all, it's up to New York to prove to their fans, and to themselves, that they're the better matchup against Detroit.