The New York Knicks have the upstart Detroit Pistons on the brink of elimination. Can they finish them off?

Catch the game tomorrow at 7:00 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Detroit Pistons (1-3)

Projected starting five:

  • Cade Cunningham
  • Tim Hardaway Jr.
  • Ausar Thompson
  • Tobias Harris
  • Jalen Duren

The Pistons lost both home games in frustrating fashion. In Game 3, they almost mounted a comeback until it got stomped with a bad pass in their last possession, while in Game 4, referees swallowed their whistle when Tim Hardaway Jr. was fouled in a potential game-winning three-pointer. They lost, 94-93.

As terrible as those were, such will be good lessons for the young squad. They will soon know how to be more efficient in their possessions, especially in the 4th Quarter. We just don’t know if they can pick it up before their 2025 season ends.

Nevertheless, Cade Cunningham will remain as the main force, guiding Jalen Duren and vets Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris and Dennis Schroeder. They are one defeat away from being bounced, so at the very least, we ought to see a decent amount of urgency. Pressure is high, but note that they won at Madison Square Garden in Game 2.

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HOME: New York Knicks (3-1)

Projected starting five:

  • Jalen Brunson
  • OG Anunoby
  • Josh Hart
  • Mikal Bridges
  • Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks are back home after two challenging games in Detroit. They must be feeling relieved, but not too relieved as that most probably cost them a win in Game 2, where they couldn’t match the opposition’s intensity.

The inside-outside threat of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will reign supreme on the Knicks’ attack. The duo is netting 33.3 and 22.8 points per game in the series, with Towns coming off back-to-back strong outings. He’ll be ready to flex again. Brunson will get his buckets–let’s just hope he shies away from his tendency to fish for fouls.

The wing trio of Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby will keep doing their thing. It’s been wild all season, for better or worse, but it’s a fun trio nonetheless. They are aggressive in their own way, playing in a Tom Thibodeau system, so they’ll be able to get crazy floor time.

With the momentum and coming back home, New York appears to have it in the bag, but the tendency to be too complacent puts them in tough finishes.

PICKS:

Spread: Pistons (+5.5)

Over/Under: Over (214)

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