Pistons vs. Knicks NBA Playoffs Bets & Predictions (Monday)
As we further embark on the first round of the 2024-25 NBA playoffs, we will be breaking down the two games across The Association this evening. Let's not waste any more time and jump right into some of our favorite NBA picks for Monday, April 21st’s game Pistons vs. Knicks.
Monday’s Best NBA Bets: Pistons vs. Knicks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Detroit Pistons Team Total Over 107.5 Points (-110)
The Pistons have faced the Knicks five times this season, including the first playoff game on Saturday. Detroit has exceeded 107.5 points in four out of those five contests, while averaging 117.4 points on 50.8% shooting from the field.
The Pistons have eclipsed 107.5 points in 16 out of their last 20 games, despite missing Cade Cunningham for six of those contests. Detroit has scored at least 108 points in five straight contests. The last time they failed to do so was on April 5th.
Detroit finished the regular season ranked eighth in the league over their last 10 games in regards to offensive rating, while playing at the second-fastest pace. The Knicks may be a smothering defense, however, they have not proven to consistently limit the Pistons from scoring at least 108 points in five matchups this season.
Cade Cunningham Over 26.5 Points (-115)
In the first playoff contest of his career, Cade Cunningham shot a woeful 38% from the field and only connected on one three-pointer on the way to 21 points. While not ideal by any means from the top scoring option on the team, 20+ points in your first postseason appearance is nothing to scoff at. We expect an uptick in scoring for the Detroit guard in this contest, despite a hounding New York defense.
Before Saturday's contest, Cunningham had scored at least 29 points in three consecutive matchups against the Knicks. The Pistons superstar is averaging 30.5 points against New York on the season, while shooting 56.3% from the field and 52% from beyond the arc on 6.3 attempts per game.
If the Pistons are going to even up this series on the road amongst a raucous New York crowd, Cunningham will have to shoot much more efficiently than his 8-for-21 performance on Saturday. We feel Cunningham turns it around in this contest and exceeds 26.5 points.
Cade Cunningham -1.5 Assists vs. Jalen Brunson (-130)
Cade Cunningham averaged 9.6 assists against the Knicks in four matchups this season. The Detroit guard dished out 12 assists in the first game of the series on Saturday. This was the second time in as many contests Cunningham finished with 12 assists.
Jalen Brunson recorded an average of 7.8 assists when facing Detroit this season and finished with eight dimes in the first contest of the series. Coming into this series, Brunson is averaging 6.7 assists over the last 10 games.
Cunningham is averaging 10.6 assists in the previous three contests and finished with four more assists than Brunson in Game 1. While we feel that gap could be a lot closer in this contest, Cunningham still looks to be in good shape to record at least two more assists than Brunson.