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Detroit Pistons Set for NBA Playoff Matchup vs New York Knicks

The Detroit Pistons will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Playoffs.
Justin Grasso|
Apr 10, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) defends against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
Apr 10, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) defends against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsNew York Knicks

With two games left on the schedule, the Detroit Pistons had a chance to move up to the Eastern Conference’s fifth seed.

First, the Pistons would have to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Friday night. Then, they would have to travel to Milwaukee to take down the Bucks for the season finale.

With a loss against the Bucks on Friday night, the Pistons keep themselves in the sixth seed. Since the Indiana Pacers came up short against the Orlando Magic, the New York Knicks locked up the third seed. With that, the Pistons and the Knicks are set for a series in the first round.

During Friday’s game, the Pistons were closing out a back-to-back set. After taking down the Knicks on Thursday night, Detroit engaged in a battle that went down to the wire at home against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.

Cade Cunningham had a 36-point effort, securing the double-double with 12 assists.

Jalen Duren had himself a double-double outing as he accounted for 11 points and 16 rebounds. Off the bench, Malik Beasley had a stellar showing as he produced 21 points. The veteran sharpshooter knocked down seven of his 14 shots from beyond the arc.

Considering the Pistons’ lack of playoff experience with a young roster, any first-round series was going to be viewed as a tough challenge. However, the Knicks might be the best draw for them, considering they’ve won all but one of their four matchups against the Knicks this year.

Back on November 1, the Knicks went into Detroit and took down the Pistons 128-98. Over the next two games, the Pistons won at Madison Square Garden. On Thursday, the Pistons defeated the Knicks 115-106 to win the regular-season series for the first time since the 2018-2019 season.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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