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For the fourth time in history (after 1984, 1990, 1992) and the first for more than thirty years, these two legendary franchises of the conference are found in a series of playoffs. That the Knicks finished on the podium of their conference was expected, however, that the pistons snatch a direct place for the playoffs, it was a huge surprise. Nevertheless, it is amply deserved, as the Detroit players have achieved a superb regular season.
So, will they be able to go to the end of the surprise by released New York, to win their first series of Playoffs since 2008? The challenge is great for young Michigan wolves because the Knicks have sacred arguments. But also limits.
Presentation of Knicks
Holders : J. Brunson, M. Bridges, J. Hart, O. Anunoby, K. Towns
Replacements : T. Kolek, M. McBride, C. Payne, L. Shamet, M. Robinson, P. Achiuwa
Absent : (none)
The coach : Tom Thibodeau
The transfer between Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns did not upset the Knicks. Neither in a positive sense nor in the negative sense. The team made a regular season in line with that of the past season, earning a match more than in the previous exercise (51-31) and by generally displaying the same face. Strong with the weak but weak with the forts, the Knicks nevertheless survived the injury of Jalen Brunson in the spring, who missed a month of competition. Even if the assessment is not the most snoring, with its workforce, its audience and its experience, New York is a big piece, especially in a good evening.
The strong point
– Individual talents. Fifth best attack in the league (118.5 points out of 100 possessions), this group has a big strike force. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are attackers who can do big damage when underestimating Mikal Bridges and Og Anunoby, who has taken a new dimension this season, remains an error that is expensive. The major five of the Knicks poses huge problems for a defense and, some evenings, when the planets were aligned, the players of Tom Thibodeau have achieved real offensive demonstrations. Difficult, if not impossible, to curb the four at the same time, without forgetting a Josh Hart always precious and useful with his activity.
The weak point
– a defense that can suffer. Reverse of the medal: The Defense of New York, the 14th of the NBA this season, is not always up to their attack. Especially in front of strong machines, where the Knicks have exploded. The difficulties on Pick-And-Roll with a little sharp Karl-Anthony Towns. In addition, when the opponent begins to knock on 3-PTS, drowning is never far away. And it only takes two or three minutes disputed with a little less concentration and intensity for the defense to explode completely. During this zone of turbulence, “We can be walked on it”, had regretted the New York coach.
Presentation of pistons
Holders : C. Cunningham, T. Hardaway, T. Harris, A. Thompson, J. Duren
Replacements : D. Schroder, M. Beasley, R. Holland, S. Fontecchio, I. Stewart, P. Reed
Absent : J. Ivey
The coach : JB Bickerstaff
It's the surprise team of the season. By recruiting veterans – Tim Hardaway JR, Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley – to bring a little bottle to this young group, putting a coach on his bench with references – JB Bickerstaff – the franchise found the perfect ingredients to grow his group. And what a success!
In 2023/24, the season was catastrophic with 14 successes, and this total was more than tripled this year, with 44 victories. And this surprising sixth place in the conference is therefore. The identity of this team is faithful to the history of the franchise, to the legendary teams of Michigan, that is to say very physical or even brawling if necessary.
The strong point
– A solid team. The pistons are a kind of large block, very massive and difficult to move. In addition, he makes the blows. The muscles are everywhere, the desire to defend JB Bickerstaff has spread to everyone and while defenses and contacts take up all the space in Playoffs, Cade Cunningham and his band have the characteristics to be a training that nobody wants to meet in the spring. The All-Star, with its progress and its leadership, is a icing on the cake, the one that can make the difference if the collective responds less well. Finally, the locker room is undoubtedly carried by strong confidence, given the results of the regular season.
The weak point
-a lack of 3-PTS weight. Carried by enthusiasm and their physical dimension, the pistons offer a basketball less centered on the 3-PTS shoot than the others. It's interesting but it is also a downside because, apart from Malik Beasley, huge with its 319 successes behind the arc 41% of success, and Tim Hardaway Jr, they suffer globally at 3-PTS. Detroit registers only 12.8 3-PTS baskets per match (20th average) at 36% success (17th). The absence of Jaden Ivey weighs in this area. The pistons have good shooters in their workforce, but the address is not always there. And if it lasts several matches in a series of playoffs, everything can become more complicated. Especially if the first offensive options suffer …
The keys to the series
-The 3-PTS address from the Pistons. If the Knicks are not the best 3-PTS team, the most powerful, the offensive talents are numerous and they can do without. For the pistons, if they really want to put in difficulty the friable defense of New York, it will be necessary to strike behind the arc. If Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. regularly send arrows, Tom Thibodeau could sweat. Especially if Cade Cunningham supports where it hurts, on Pick-And-Roll. We can also make the opposite reflection: without heavy pressure at 3-PTS, Detroit players could suffer to drive their opponent.
– the physical dimension. This is one of the forces, from the faces of Detroit so it is obvious that the Ouailles of JB Bickerstaff will impose their muscles in this series. It will fight very hard under the circles, in the rebound. The Knicks sometimes find it difficult to impose themselves in the rebound elsewhere, and this is a point on which Detroit has every interest in supporting. To limit the possessions of Jalen Brunson and company and to play the transitions. If the two teams are not in a big evening at 3-PTS, the meetings could turn into a trench battle.
– New York's experience. The importance of veterans in the success of Detroit this season proves how much experience is a fundamental fact in a group, as talented as it is. Playoffs are a mountain difficult to climb, especially during the first ascent, and a majority of pistons do not know these altitudes. The Knicks are used to them: Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson were for example to the conference final during their career when Mikal Bridges even tasted the finals. In the approach of this first round and in very hot moments, the Knicks will have one step ahead.
Regular season
Detroit 3-1
– November 1st: Detroit – New York (98-128)
– December 7: New York – Detroit (111-120)
– January 13: New York – Detroit (119-124)
– 10 avril : Detroit – New York (115-106)
VERDICT
New York 4-2. Facing the pistons is clearly not a gift for the Knicks. But if they showed big limits against the riders, Celtics or Thunder during the regular season (and even in front of Detroit, given the results between the two teams), this team has more than the weapons to win this series. It has high ambitions therefore eliminate pistons which are certainly valiant but still inexperienced at this level should not be a source of fear. Nevertheless, the series promises to be hard on the physical level, so we can leave feathers and matches if the errors are too numerous. With their experience and executives at their level, New York players must cross this first round, even if it will probably not always be a pleasure.
CALENDAR
Game 1 : in New York, Saturday April 19 (00 p.m.)
Game 2 : in New York, Monday April 21 (1:30, on the night of Monday to Tuesday)
Game 3 : in Detroit, Thursday April 24 (1 a.m., on the night of Thursday to Friday)
Game 4 : in Detroit, Sunday April 27 (7 p.m.)
Game 5*: in New York, Tuesday April 29
Game 6*: in Detroit, Thursday, May 1
Game 7*: in New York, Saturday May 3
* If necessary.
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