The Detroit Pistons’ first-round playoff series against the Knicks is a long time coming, as this will be the first time in six years that Detroit has made the postseason.
It’s been even longer since the Pistons have won a playoff game, so they are hoping to break a serious drought that dates back to 2008.
None of the experts are giving them a chance to win the series, so it’s truly Detroit vs. Everyone in this one.
And they’ll be doing it on the biggest stage, starting in the Mecca of basketball, Madison Square Garden, in front of a raucous Knicks’ crowd that is going to try and rattle the Pistons, who lack playoff experience.
But the Pistons haven’t backed down all season and have plenty of confidence against a team they’ve already beaten three times.
After being shunned on national TV for most of the season, the Pistons will be playing their games in front of a big audience, many of whom will be seeing them for the first time.
Detroit Pistons first-round playoff schedule: How to watch Pistons’ playoff games
The Pistons won’t get things started until Saturday, as they await the results of the play-in tournament they dodged by landing the 6th seed.
The play-in tournament won’t have an effect on the Pistons’ first-round opponent, but it may send even more stars into the offseason trade market, but that’s a different topic.
Here is the Pistons’ full schedule and where you can watch the games:
-Saturday April 19th @ New York: 6:00 PM ET on ESPN
-Monday April 21st @ New York: 7:30 PM ET on TNT
-Thursday April 24th @ Detroit: TBD on TNT
-Sunday April 27th @ Detroit: 1:00 PM ET on ABC
-Tuesday April 29th @ New York: TBD
-Thursday May 1st @ Detroit TBD
-Saturday May 3rd @ New York TBD
As you can see, the teams will get a decent amount of rest between games, which will suit them both, as each roster has been dealing with nagging injuries.
The Pistons didn’t get relegated to NBA TV, likely because they are playing the Knicks, so they will be easier to watch for most fans and include a national day-game on ABC which should be fun.
Detroit has been equally good at home and on the road this season, including two wins in Madison Square Garden, so Detroit will look to steal one of those first two games and then desperately defend the home court.
The Pistons will be underdogs, but they are not going to back down and I do think we’ll see a very competitive series.