The Knicks are now just one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Pistons couldn’t ask for a better outcome. The Pistons have dominated the Knicks this year in the regular season and would love to avenge their playoff loss from last year.
So far, the Pistons seem to have answers for all their biggest questions against the Cavaliers. They’re up 2-0 and could be well on their own way to the conference finals too.
The Pistons want to face off with the Knicks
In every matchup this season, the Pistons seemed to personally relish beating the Knicks. The season series ended 3-0 with an average margin of 28 points per game for Detroit. Of course, the playoffs are a different beast from the regular season and the Knicks seem to be hitting their stride at the perfect time.
But the Pistons are also peaking well. They’re getting season-best contributions from their non-star players, such as Duncan Robinson and Tobias Harris. Detroit’s entire rotation is clicking right now on both ends, possibly primed after an intense first-round series.
However, the biggest factor in tight playoff games is usually the closing ability of star players. The Knicks have an elite clutch scorer in Jalen Brunson, but the Pistons can counter with Cade Cunningham. Cunningham has already shown his clutch gene by putting away crucial games in the playoffs.
There’s still unfinished business from last year
But Cade might turn things up to another level in a potential showdown with the Knicks. They found ways to slow him down in last year’s playoffs, and he used that as fuel in the offseason. This year, Cade has added elements to his game, such as improved pull-up shooting and stronger finishing through contact, specifically meant to counter New York’s coverage.
In their last meeting of the regular season, Cade put his full development on display in Madison Square Garden. In perhaps his best game of the season, he put on a masterpiece with 42 points, 8 rebounds and 13 assists for a rout of the Knicks without All-Star teammate Jalen Duren.
In that game, Cade proved that no Knick can guard him 1-on-1 and he can break down double teams effectively too. His versatile skillset has been a nightmare matchup in the playoffs too, as he’s led the NBA in points per game. He’s run roughshod over two solid defenses so far, and there’s no reason to think he can’t do the same against the Knicks.
Ironically, the Pistons have put their fans in a position to root for the Knicks. That’s the opponent we want to see in the next round and the dream conference finals matchup is getting closer by the day.
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