The New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons are set to clash in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. With the series tied at 1-1, this pivotal matchup promises high-stakes action as both teams aim to gain the upper hand in their quest to advance in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Game Details
- Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM EDT
- Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
- Broadcast: Nationally on TNT; locally on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit and MSG Network
Team Overview
New York Knicks
- Regular Season Record: 51-31 (3rd seed in the Eastern Conference)
- Key Players:
- Jalen Brunson: Averaging 35 points per game in the playoffs, Brunson has been the Knicks’ offensive leader, delivering clutch performances in both games.
- Karl-Anthony Towns: Struggling to find his rhythm, Towns contributed only 10 points in Game 2 and will need to step up to support Brunson.
- OG Anunoby: Known for his defensive prowess, Anunoby will be tasked with slowing down Cade Cunningham.
Detroit Pistons
- Regular Season Record: 44-38 (6th seed in the Eastern Conference)
- Key Players:
- Cade Cunningham: Coming off a stellar Game 2 performance with 33 points and 12 rebounds, Cunningham is the Pistons’ offensive anchor.
- Dennis Schröder: Provided a clutch 3-pointer in Game 2 to secure the win, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure.
- Jalen Duren: Dominated the boards in Game 2, helping the Pistons out-rebound the Knicks by 14.
Series Recap
- Game 1: The Knicks staged a dramatic 21-0 fourth-quarter run to secure a 123-112 victory at Madison Square Garden. Brunson led the charge with 34 points, while the Pistons struggled to close out the game.
- Game 2: The Pistons bounced back with a 100-94 win, marking their first playoff victory since 2008. Cunningham’s dominant performance and Schröder’s late-game heroics helped Detroit even the series.
Key Matchups
- Jalen Brunson vs. Cade Cunningham: Both players have been instrumental for their teams, and their head-to-head battle will likely determine the outcome of Game 3.
- Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Jalen Duren: Towns needs to assert himself offensively and on the boards to counter Duren’s physical presence.
- Bench Contributions: Players like Dennis Schröder and Cam Payne could swing the momentum with timely scoring off the bench.
Game Outlook
The Pistons will look to capitalize on their home-court advantage, playing their first playoff game in Detroit since 2019. Their physicality and rebounding edge could pose challenges for the Knicks, who need improved performances from Towns and their supporting cast. Meanwhile, the Knicks will rely on Brunson’s leadership and Anunoby’s defense to regain control of the series.
Game Odds
New York Knicks – 1
Detroit Pistons 213.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, April 23, 2025
