The Detroit Pistons eviscerated the Knicks on the second game of a back-to-back for their second win in a row over a conference rival, and in the process, exorcised a few demons from last season.
It appeared as if the Pistons were in some trouble this week, and their hold on first place in the Eastern Conference looked tenuous. They had lost three of four and then had to face back-to-back games against the Cavs and Knicks that included travel.
On top of that, the Pistons were missing two starters and a bench player, so it looked as if the Pistons might finally run into the sort of slump they’d managed to avoid all season.
But these Pistons had other ideas and wanted to slay a few demons in the process.
The Pistons hadn’t beaten the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road since JB Bickerstaff took over, so it was nice for him to get a win over his former team, a team that had spanked the Pistons earlier in the season.
But the game everyone was anticipating was last night’s affair against the Knicks, whose fans have been borderline insufferable all year. I’m not hearing much out of them today, as the Pistons dismantle New York and managed to do something they were unable to do in last year’s playoffs, which is beat the Knicks in Detroit.
Given the context of the injuries and schedule, these were huge wins that should have the Pistons feeling confident that they can win the East.
The Detroit Pistons aren’t scared of anyone
The Pistons were the out of nowhere team last season that surprised everyone, but it was largely regarded as an anomaly outside of Detroit, as many pundits predicted the Pistons would regress.
It feels like the media and some fans are waiting for the wheels to fall off for the Pistons, but after these two wins, more are starting to accept the fact that the Pistons are just good.
This isn’t a fluke, it isn’t because of luck or anything else, the team is good, and they are not afraid of anyone, especially in the East.
Detroit was just 1-3 against the Cavs last season, and at times, looked like the little brother, something they needed to shake if they were going to improve their position.
Even though the Pistons did beat the Knicks three of four games last season, they lost to them in the playoffs and didn’t manage to win a game at home, something we know bothered the young Pistons, who wanted to win one for their home fans.
Both teams had a slight mental edge over the Pistons that was not present in the last two games, when Detroit imposed themselves on the Cavs and Knicks physically.
They can talk as loudly as they want (this mostly applies to the New Yorkers), but I can guarantee you that neither of these teams want to face the Pistons in the playoffs.
Whatever mental edge these veteran teams had is gone, as the Pistons are now the best team in the Eastern Conference, regardless of what anyone’s power rankings may say.