Regular Season Series: Detroit 3-1
Keys:
Cade Cunningham Coming Out Party
Cunningham torched the Knicks all season. In the four meetings, Cunningham averaged 30.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game.
Tom Thibodeau’s defenses have a good reputation, but that reputation isn’t playing one second of these games.
Stopping Cunningham is easier said than done because Detroit has been the more physical team all season. If the Knicks load up on Cunningham, the Pistons will bludgeon the Knicks on the boards. If Cunningham gets started early in games, it can open the floor for the other players to impact the game.
Hart of the Matter
Jalen Brunson is the best player on the Knicks, but Josh Hart is in the guts.
Hart can’t afford to get into foul trouble, so he must get the 50/50 balls. His timely three-pointers are just what the Knicks need, but more than anything, he has to be a plus defender on the floor.
