Earlier than the 2024-2025 NBA season started, Detroit’s probabilities to make the playoffs appeared extremely unlikely. After ending 2023-24 with a 17-65 report, the followers of the franchise felt defeated and have been searching for solutions.
Quick ahead one 12 months later; Detroit clinched the sixth seed within the Japanese Convention and is matched up in opposition to the Knicks within the first spherical of the post-season. After a five-year playoff drought, Detroit is lastly again to the place it envisioned the franchise to be.
To say that this turnaround was spectacular is an understatement.
Led by coach J.B. Bickerstaff and their star participant, Cade Cunningham, Detroit’s path to the sixth seed has been spectacular in each facet.
The New York Knicks have been in a really totally different scenario coming into the 2024-2025 NBA season. Earlier than the season, the Knicks have been the second-most favored staff to win the NBA Championship (+725)
Expectations are all the time excessive in New York, and this 12 months the Knicks have been anticipated to compete for the NBA championship. Quick ahead to the tip of the season; the Knicks completed with a 51-31 report, led by their star Jalen Brunson.
How The Pistons Acquired Right here
Following a 2023-2024 season crammed with turmoil and disappointment, Detroit got here into the season with restricted expectations. This will have been the important thing issue occurring this spectacular run the complete season.
Cunningham established himself as one of many new stars of the NBA, posting profession highs in factors (26.1 ppg) and rebounds (6.1 rpg) plus 9.1 apg. Cade has grow to be a extra ball-dominant guard with a capability to search out open house to enrich improved passing.
Younger skills corresponding to Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren have considerably improved this season as effectively to assist elevate the Pistons’ assault.
Bench play from Malik Beasley has additionally uplifted the Pistons’ 3-point capturing and spacing.
Detroit completed the season within the prime half of the league in rebounds (eleventh), assists (14th), and discipline aim share (thirteenth), which have been huge enhancements from its earlier 12 months’s marketing campaign.
This younger squad developed super chemistry this season. As underdogs on this sequence, they are going to proceed to develop collectively as a unit and try to knock out one of many Japanese Convention’s premier groups.
“I do not assume there’s too many gamers you could argue over me.” 😤
Cade Cunningham tells @ShamsCharania how the Pistons went from a 14-68 report final season to one of many biggest turnarounds in NBA historical past. pic.twitter.com/IsGXLMRtt6
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 17, 2025
How The Knicks Acquired Right here
On October 3, 2024, the Knicks accomplished a significant three-team commerce that allowed them to amass Karl-Anthony Cities. The willingness of the Knicks’ normal supervisor to exit and get a star like Cities confirmed town the franchise was useless critical about profitable a title this season.
Bringing a championship again to New York was all the time on the forefront of inner conversations.
The Knicks ended the season because the third seed within the Japanese Convention. They completed the season prime 5 in discipline aim share (4th), free throw share (fifth), turnovers in opposition to (4th), and offensive ranking (fifth).
With the most effective beginning fives within the league, Brunson and Cities have been on the forefront of the Knicks’ success. Each have been voted in as all-stars this season.
Josh Hart and O.G. Anunoby have been additionally key items to this staff. Hart’s rebounding capability and Anunoby’s defensive instincts and consciousness make this Knicks staff full.
Expectations are excessive in New York. Might this lastly be the season the place it will get over the hump and make an NBA finals look?
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 closely favoured on this sequence, and rightfully so, due to its offensive firepower. General, the Knicks are only a well-rounded staff on either side of the ball. Their playoff expertise will certainly play an element in opposition to this younger Pistons squad. I actually consider Detroit goes to steal a few video games on this sequence, and Beasley would be the X-factor in these wins. There might be some playoff rising pains with this Pistons staff, however I can see them taking a couple of video games on its dwelling courtroom.
Knicks in 6.
