New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons Game 2 (NYK Leads 1-0) - Best Bets & Betting Odds
All odds provided by Betway.
Knicks vs. Pistons Point Spread/Moneyline Prediction
The story of Game 1 was that 21-0 run the Knicks went on in the fourth quarter. When they went on the run, the Pistons had been up eight points and in control on the road. But the playoff pressure got to Detroit as they tripped into a familiar pitfall in today’s NBA: falling in love with the jump shot. They went 2-for-12 outside the paint in the final frame.
Meanwhile, New York hunkered down in the painted area and got it done. The Knicks took it to the hole time after time, going 13-for-16 in the paint during that final period to seal the win. 15 of the 21 points during that run came in the paint or at the free throw line. That’s New York’s DNA, and it’s the reason they are going to win again in Game 2.
They had a whopping 62 points in the paint in Game 1, so they were getting it done even before that big run. And that was with Detroit’s best defensive big man, Isaiah Stewart in the lineup. Stewart did not look at 100 percent as he dealt with knee inflammation. He will be questionable for Game 2. But whether he is ruled out or he hobbles around on the floor again, it’s a good thing for New York.
New York scored 52.6 paint points per game (7th) during the regular season and scored more field goals from inside five feet (24.0) per game than anyone. And while Detroit was one of the best inside defensively, Stewart’s health has clearly compromised that if Game 1 is anything to go off of.
Being up like that in Game 1 in a franchise’s first playoff series since 2019, with a young core as the driving force, and to have that stripped away in what must have felt like the blink of an eye. That’s going to be tough to come back from. And in the cauldron of Madison Square Garden, it will be too much for them to overcome by Monday night. New York will continue to play bully ball and get another comfortable win to go up two-zip.
Best Bet: New York Knicks -6.5 Point Spread (-110)
Player Prop Best Bet
18 of Jalen Brunson’s 34 points in Game 1 came around the basket, and his 10.2 paint points per game during the regular season were eighth among guards. But that’s just why the matchup is good for Brunson. We haven’t even gotten into his ability to turn his game up once the postseason begins. If there’s a Playoff Jimmy, there will soon be a playoff Jalen.
For his career, Brunson has averaged 18.1 points per game in the regular season. That flies up to 24.1 in the playoffs. Even after coming to New York and taking on a bigger role, he has still found a way to play even better when late April comes around. In his last 20 playoff games, dating back to New York’s 2023 playoff loss to the Miami Heat, Brunson is averaging 32.1 points. In 13 of the last 19, he’s scored 29+. We like him to do it again in Game 2 with sportsbooks still offering him up below 30 points.
Best Bet: Jalen Brunson Over 28.5 Points (-105)/Betway
