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The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks face off tonight at the iconic Madison Square Garden for Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. The Pistons must respond after a physical and tightly contested Game 1, which saw the Knicks pull away late behind an electric performance from Jalen Brunson. With the series shifting back to Detroit after Game 2, the pressure is on for the Pistons to steal a win on the road and avoid falling into a 0–2 hole.
This marks Detroit’s first trip to the playoffs in several years, and the young squad is determined to make a strong impression on the national stage. Led by rising star Cade Cunningham and bolstered by an emerging core that includes Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson, Detroit is building for the future—but they’re hungry to win right now.
Let’s break down how both teams arrived at this point and what fans can expect heading into a pivotal Game 2.
Game 1 was a rollercoaster, featuring momentum swings, gritty defense and flashes of individual brilliance on both sides. The Pistons came out with intensity and confidence, clearly unfazed by the playoff atmosphere at Madison Square Garden. Cade Cunningham was in control early, distributing the ball and knocking down mid-range jumpers, while veteran Malik Beasley knocked down open shots early on his way to a 20-point game off the Pistons bench.
However, as expected, the Knicks responded with their trademark resilience. New York gradually chipped away at the deficit, using their size and experience to wear Detroit down. Karl-Anthony Towns’ physical presence on the boards, combined with the relentless hustle of Josh Hart, helped swing the momentum back in New York’s favor.
The defining moment came in the second half, specifically in the fourth quarter—Jalen Brunson took over the game. The Knicks’ floor general showcased exactly why he’s become one of the league’s most reliable playoff performers. Brunson scored 12 of his 34 points in the final period, hitting a mix of step-backs, floaters and tough shots late in the shot clock. He also displayed elite composure, navigating pick-and-roll situations and making the right reads every time.
Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 23 points 11 rebounds and 5 assists, giving the Knicks a steady interior presence. Hart and Mikal Bridges contributed across the board with hustle plays that don’t always show up in the box score but made a massive impact.
Detroit, meanwhile, struggled to maintain its composure down the stretch. Turnovers (19) and poor shot selection plagued the Pistons in the final minutes. Cunningham still ended the night with a respectable line—21 points and 12 assists—but he’ll need to be even more aggressive and efficient in Game 2. Veteran Tobias Harris was one of Detroit’s bright spots, posting 25 points and 6 rebounds. Still, Detroit’s inexperience showed, and the Knicks’ veteran savvy proved to be the difference late.
With Game 2 on the horizon, both teams are preparing for adjustments. For the Pistons, this game is essentially a must-win. Heading home down 0–2 against a tough and battle-tested Knicks squad would be daunting. Detroit needs to come out swinging, especially on the defensive end, where they’ll likely try new looks to slow down Brunson.
Cade Cunningham remains the focal point for Detroit, and while he had a solid showing in Game 1, he’ll need to take control earlier and avoid stretches of passivity. Look for him to attack more aggressively in the opening quarter, trying to set the tone and keep the Knicks defense off balance.
A big factor to watch is how Detroit handles Brunson in pick-and-roll situations. They struggled with it in Game 1, and if no adjustments are made, Brunson could be in for another huge night. The danger in throwing extra defenders at Brunson is that it could open up clean looks for other Knicks players like Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, who can punish defensive lapses.
From a DFS and prop betting standpoint, the safest and most valuable pick remains Jalen Brunson. His ability to control the game and deliver in high-pressure moments makes him an ideal pick for another big outing. Unless Detroit dramatically changes their defensive coverage, expect him to find success again.
Dylan has had a love for sports since he was a kid. Four years ago, he decided to dive into the sports content-creating industry specializing in Fantasy Football, NFL and NBA. He has since had his work published on sites that include Fantasy Alarm, Fansided, and Fantasy Six Pack.