Before the 2024-2025 NBA season began, Detroit’s chances to make the playoffs seemed highly unlikely. After finishing 2023-24 with a 17-65 record, the fans of the franchise felt defeated and were looking for answers.
Fast forward one year later; Detroit clinched the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and is matched up against the Knicks in the first round of the post-season. After a five-year playoff drought, Detroit is finally back to where it envisioned the franchise to be.
To say that this turnaround was impressive is an understatement.
Led by coach J.B. Bickerstaff and their star player, Cade Cunningham, Detroit’s path to the sixth seed has been impressive in every aspect.
The New York Knicks were in a very different situation coming into the 2024-2025 NBA season. Before the season, the Knicks were the second-most favored team to win the NBA Championship (+725)
Expectations are always high in New York, and this year the Knicks were expected to compete for the NBA championship. Fast forward to the end of the season; the Knicks finished with a 51-31 record, led by their star Jalen Brunson.
How The Pistons Got Here
Following a 2023-2024 season filled with turmoil and disappointment, Detroit came into the season with limited expectations. This may have been the key factor going on this spectacular run the entire season.
Cunningham established himself as one of the new stars of the NBA, posting career highs in points (26.1 ppg) and rebounds (6.1 rpg) plus 9.1 apg. Cade has become a more ball-dominant guard with an ability to find open space to complement improved passing.
Young talents such as Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren have significantly improved this season as well to help elevate the Pistons’ attack.
Bench play from Malik Beasley has also uplifted the Pistons’ 3-point shooting and spacing.
Detroit finished the season in the top half of the league in rebounds (11th), assists (14th), and field goal percentage (13th), which were vast improvements from its previous year’s campaign.
This young squad developed tremendous chemistry this season. As underdogs in this series, they will continue to grow together as a unit and attempt to knock out one of the Eastern Conference’s premier teams.
“I don’t think there’s too many players that you can argue over me.” 😤
Cade Cunningham tells @ShamsCharania how the Pistons went from a 14-68 record last season to one of the greatest turnarounds in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/IsGXLMRtt6
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 17, 2025
How The Knicks Got Here
On October 3, 2024, the Knicks completed a major three-team trade that allowed them to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns. The willingness of the Knicks’ general manager to go out and get a star like Towns showed the city the franchise was dead serious about winning a title this season.
Bringing a championship back to New York was always at the forefront of internal conversations.
The Knicks ended the season as the third seed in the Eastern Conference. They finished the season top five in field goal percentage (4th), free throw percentage (5th), turnovers against (4th), and offensive rating (5th).
With one of the best starting fives in the league, Brunson and Towns were at the forefront of the Knicks’ success. Both were voted in as all-stars this season.
Josh Hart and O.G. Anunoby were also key pieces to this team. Hart’s rebounding ability and Anunoby’s defensive instincts and awareness make this Knicks team complete.
Expectations are high in New York. Could this finally be the season where it gets over the hump and make an NBA finals appearance?
reliving the VERY BEST of the VERY CLUTCH Jalen Brunson ⏰ pic.twitter.com/UpumlbQ8iX
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 15, 2025
Prediction
New York is heavily favoured in this series, and rightfully so, because of its offensive firepower. Overall, the Knicks are just a well-rounded team on both sides of the ball. Their playoff experience will surely play a factor against this young Pistons squad. I truly believe Detroit is going to steal a couple of games in this series, and Beasley will be the X-factor in those wins. There will be some playoff growing pains with this Pistons team, but I can see them taking a few games on its home court.
Knicks in 6.
