Knicks vs. Pistons Game 3 Prediction & Pick (April 24 Playoffs)

New York Knicks (51-31 SU, 42-42 ATS) vs. Detroit Pistons (44-38 SU, 43-39 ATS)

When: Thursday, April 24th, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: Little Caesars Arena, MI, Detroit

TV: TNT

Point Spread: NY -1/Det +1

Total: 214.5

Money Line: New York Knicks -118/-102

Notable Injuries

Knicks

• No Injuries Reported

Pistons

• Isaiah Stewart (Questionable) Knee
• Jaden Ivey (Out) Fibula

In a game that features two playoff teams from the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks (-118) travel to take on the Detroit Pistons (-102) at Little Caesars Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 ET.

This game will be televised on TNT.

Recent Form

The Knicks fell to 51-31 on the season after a 100-94 loss to the Pistons on Monday. New York, favored by 6.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 194 were well below the O/U line of 221.5.

Detroit’s 11-0 run, which turned a 58-53 Knicks lead into a 64-58 deficit, was pivotal. New York tried to rally, outscoring the Pistons 27-25 in the 4th quarter, but couldn’t close the gap.

Detroit improved to 44-38 on the season with a 100-94 win over the Knicks on Monday. The Pistons, who entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs, not only pulled off the road win but also covered the spread. The total score of 194 points was well below the 221.5 O/U line.

A key moment came when the Pistons went on an 11-0 run, turning a 58-53 deficit into a 64-58 lead. They held the Knicks to 18 points in the 3rd quarter and entered the 4th with a 75-67 lead, holding off a late Knicks push to seal the win.

The Historicals

Over the last five head-to-head meetings, the Pistons have averaged 114 points per game compared to 110 for New York. This has led to an ATS record of 4-1 for Detroit. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 3-2. Combined, they averaged 224 points in these games.

Analysis

In their 100-94 loss to the Pistons, the Knicks struggled offensively, shooting just 42% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range, making 10 threes overall. Jalen Brunson led the way with 37 points, seven assists, and four made threes at 33.3% efficiency.

Mikal Bridges added 19 points, hitting three threes at 27.3%. Brunson was particularly effective in the 4th quarter, scoring 14 points while also adding 13 points in the 2nd quarter.

Defensively, the Knicks held the Pistons to 100 points but couldn’t secure the win. They allowed 25 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, with their toughest stretch coming in the 2nd, where they gave up 30 points. The 3rd quarter was their best, holding Detroit to just 20 points.

New York did a solid job defending the three, limiting the Pistons to 6 made threes on 22% shooting. They also recorded eight steals. However, they sent Detroit to the line 34 times, where the Pistons converted 28 free throws.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons to a win over the Knicks, scoring 33 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, shooting 52.4% from the field. Dennis Schröder added 20 points, hitting three threes at 60% efficiency, while Tobias Harris contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Detroit struggled from beyond the arc, making just six threes at 22.2%, with an overall field goal percentage of 44.6%. Cunningham scored 12 points in the 2nd quarter, while Schröder added 9 points in the 4th.

Defensively, the Pistons were strong in the 1st and 3rd quarters, holding the Knicks to just 18 points in each. Despite a 31-point 2nd quarter from New York, Detroit’s defense held firm in the 4th, allowing 27 points and securing the win. Overall, the Pistons limited the Knicks to 94 points on 42% shooting.

Detroit’s perimeter defense was particularly effective, as they held the Knicks to 28% from beyond the arc, with New York making just 10 threes. The Pistons also sent the Knicks to the line 19 times, where they converted 16 free throws. Detroit finished with 36 defensive rebounds, seven steals, and four blocks.

Betting Trends

• Across their last five road contests, New York has been good against the spread posting a mark of 3-2. Their overall mark in these games was 3-2 while averaging 112 points per game.
• Across the Pistons’ last three home games, the team averaged 115 points per game while allowing 119. Their record vs. the spread in these contests was 1-2 while going 1-2 straight-up.
• The last ten games that Detroit was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 5-4-1 while going 4-6 straight up.
• As the betting favorite, the Knicks have an ATS record of 3-2 in their last five games. In these matchups, their straight up record was 3-2.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Cade Cunningham is stepping on the big stage in these playoffs, as he has been far from a disappointment as a former number one pick, but he had been buried on terrible Pistons teams. After a great performance at MSG in game 2, Cunningham and the Pistons have all the momentum heading into Little Caesars Arena tonight. I see the Detroit crowd playing a big advantage for the Pistons, and I like them to win. I’m taking Detroit on the money line.

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