The third-seeded New York Knicks look to take a 2-0 series lead when they battle the sixth-seeded Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup on Monday in the 2025 NBA playoffs. New York rallied to defeat Detroit 123-112 in the opener on Saturday. The Pistons (44-38), who placed fourth in the Central Division, are 22-20 on the road so far this season. The Knicks (51-31), who were second in the Atlantic Division, are 28-14 at home in 2024-25.
Tipoff from Madison Square Garden in New York is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Detroit won three of four meetings during the regular season. The Knicks are 6.5-point favorites in the latest Pistons vs. Knicks odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 221.5. Before making any Pistons vs. Knicks picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters the 2025 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 156-115 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $4,000. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Pistons vs. Knicks 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Knicks vs. Pistons:
- Knicks vs. Pistons spread: New York -6.5 at DraftKings
- Knicks vs. Pistons over/under: 221.5 points
- Knicks vs. Pistons money line: New York -250, Detroit +205
- DET: The Pistons have hit the team total over in 26 of their last 35 road games (+15.65 units)
- NY: The Knicks are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games
- Knicks vs. Pistons picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Knicks vs. Pistons streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Knicks can cover
Point guard Jalen Brunson helped fuel the New York comeback win in the opener, scoring 34 points, while dishing out eight assists and grabbing two boards. He has dominated the Pistons this season. In four games against them, he is averaging 28.3 points, 7.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and one steal in 35.8 minutes. He posted a double-double in a 119-117 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics on April 8, scoring 27 points, while adding 10 assists.
Also helping power New York is center Karl-Anthony Towns. He scored 23 points and added 11 rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks in the series opener. He has been a force against Detroit. In three meetings against the Pistons this season, he is averaging 24 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and 1.3 steals in 33.3 minutes. He has registered a double-double in each of his last 12 games, including one triple-double. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Why the Pistons can cover
Point guard Cade Cunningham is a big reason for Detroit’s success this season. In 70 games, all starts, he averaged 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, 6.1 rebounds and one steal in 35 minutes. He registered a double-double in the series opener on Saturday with 21 points, 12 assists and six rebounds. He had 36 points, eight assists and two rebounds in a 115-106 win over the Knicks on April 10.
Forward Tobias Harris put forth a dominant performance in Game 1. In 40 minutes of action, he poured in 25 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots. He has played well against the Knicks this season. In four games against them, he is averaging 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 30.8 minutes. He has reached double-digit scoring in six of the past seven games. See which team to back at SportsLine.
How to make Knicks vs. Pistons picks
SportsLine’s model has simulated Pistons vs. Knicks 10,000 times and is leaning Over the total, projecting 223 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits over 50% of the time. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks.
So who wins Pistons vs. Knicks, and which side of the spread hits over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Knicks vs. Pistons spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.