#1 - Pistons@Knicks - 6pm ET

[Cowology]

Best case scenario for this team was always a split and that is still on the table. Even going down 0-2 as the visiting team isn't that big of a deal. Not ideal, but if you win your 2 games at home then it's still a 2-2 series. Eventually we need to steal a game in NY, but whether that's G1, G2, G5 or G7 doesn't really matter. Just protect home court and we've got 3 more cracks at stealing game on the road. This thing is far from over.

[bstein14]

The box score won't really tell the story on how the 4th quarter played out. Starting with that 5 second call we were completely taken out of of the game. NYs' length is definitely a problem but our inexperience was also a major factor.

I enjoyed watching Brunson sorta bust out while with Dallas and his emergence the first year with the Knicks... but I can already tell that his constant foul hunting is going to irritate the **** out of me all series. I hope the refs don't constantly bail him out. It's going to be chippy enough we don't need these bs calls when he's jumping into guys and initiating the contact. Brunson is going to make some tough shots and will probably have some big games, but I think we'll also be able to limit his effectiveness at times and wear him down as the series progresses.

KAT is the real problem. I don't know how we answer him. Like... no clue. He's not prime Shaq or anything, but offensively the dude is just a beast and we're way undersized. Even more so with their 2-big lineup. That dude is going to have a monster series.

OG played a hell of game too. Probably the best player on the court through all 4 quarters and maybe that's secretly the biggest problem. Like,... in my brain KAT & Brunson are going to get theirs kinda no matter what. You can try and make them tough shots but those guys are tough covers & elite shot makers. If OG is playing like this as a "3rd" or "4th" option... that's kinda scary. With Hart & Robinson etc these guys have the tools to give CLE/BOS problems. Health has sorta been their biggest issue this season.

Finally somebody who also points out the Pistons lack of size. They are a diminutive team which is astonishing they made the playoffs being so small.


I’m also surprised some people preferred the Knicks to playing other teams because the Knicks are about to sweep the Pistons. If Detroit couldn’t get this one I doubt they win a game. Reminded me of game 1 back in 2016 against the Cavs

"Lack of size" but top 10 rebounding team in 2025 and top 5 in interior defense by multiple metrics. The exact things you want size for.

[Cowology]

The box score won't really tell the story on how the 4th quarter played out. Starting with that 5 second call we were completely taken out of of the game. NYs' length is definitely a problem but our inexperience was also a major factor.

I enjoyed watching Brunson sorta bust out while with Dallas and his emergence the first year with the Knicks... but I can already tell that his constant foul hunting is going to irritate the **** out of me all series. I hope the refs don't constantly bail him out. It's going to be chippy enough we don't need these bs calls when he's jumping into guys and initiating the contact. Brunson is going to make some tough shots and will probably have some big games, but I think we'll also be able to limit his effectiveness at times and wear him down as the series progresses.

KAT is the real problem. I don't know how we answer him. Like... no clue. He's not prime Shaq or anything, but offensively the dude is just a beast and we're way undersized. Even more so with their 2-big lineup. That dude is going to have a monster series.

OG played a hell of game too. Probably the best player on the court through all 4 quarters and maybe that's secretly the biggest problem. Like,... in my brain KAT & Brunson are going to get theirs kinda no matter what. You can try and make them tough shots but those guys are tough covers & elite shot makers. If OG is playing like this as a "3rd" or "4th" option... that's kinda scary. With Hart & Robinson etc these guys have the tools to give CLE/BOS problems. Health has sorta been their biggest issue this season.

Finally somebody who also points out the Pistons lack of size. They are a diminutive team which is astonishing they made the playoffs being so small.


I’m also surprised some people preferred the Knicks to playing other teams because the Knicks are about to sweep the Pistons. If Detroit couldn’t get this one I doubt they win a game. Reminded me of game 1 back in 2016 against the Cavs

"Lack of size" but top 10 rebounding team in 2025 and top 5 in interior defense by multiple metrics. The exact things you want size for.

This is sort of an atypical matchup. Most of the time we do fine and realistically there are only a handful of guys (Jokic, Embiid, KAT) that have both the size and skill to be problematic for us. But when we do run into those guys the size disparity is evident. Of course the rest of the league has the same problem.

I've definitively been on the "Duren isn't good enough" side of things, but I've been pleased with his progress this season. More importantly, we don't have an obvious path towards upgrading. I've maintained for a while that I want to try and package Duren/Ivey and if necessary one of our young wings, but you have to sort of ask who's realistically available. JJJ isn't coming. Bam is my personal pipe dream. Maybe Sabonis if the Kings decide to blow it up (again)? I dunno. It's a problem. Right now it's just one of those things that you simply have to overcome.

All that said, I think it may actually be their "length" more so than "size" that's really causing us issues. Their wings are very active and disruptive. We can't turn the ball over 19 times (8 in a quarter) and that was mostly due to on-ball pressure away from the basket, not because KAT is big. It also made it difficult for us to set our defense.

A big part of our defensive strategy has revolved around picking teams up full-court and when we're able to do that we're much more effective. TO's sorta take away your ability to do that and that's why JB spoke so much about the value of each possession in the 4th q. Our guards have to do a better job of protecting the ball. Ain't no amount of "size" going to help with that.

Yeah, "size" is an issue... but it's also feels a bit lazy to blame last nights failure on it.

[TPA]

KAT is the real problem. I don't know how we answer him. Like... no clue. He's not prime Shaq or anything, but offensively the dude is just a beast and we're way undersized. Even more so with their 2-big lineup. That dude is going to have a monster series.

It feels like any legit stretch-big is always going to be a problem for this team. But KAT was chucking up baskets last night that I wouldn't expect to continue to fall on a consistent basis.

New York has a great team with a lot of individual talent. We have to play good defense, stay out of foul trouble, and not put ourselves in positions for the refs to give favorable calls to NY if we're going to have a chance in this series.

[tundraknight]

Praying to the Basketball Gods that Stewart is okay and nobody else gets injured.

The Pistons were already underdogs to begin with. They don’t need to be handicapped. I want a competitive series and a chance to win.

[Kalamazoo317]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the reactions here- the 4th quarter was objectively bad.

I think people do need to take a step back and look at the big picture here though.

Worth noting that the first three quarters and the third quarter in particular were objectively good, though, which given we're a road team in the *actual playoffs* is nothing to scoff at.

[ComboGuardCity]

The KAT/Tobias matchup funny enough reminds me of the Love/Tobias matchup in 2016. This time though there is no LeBron to torch us. I think we stay the course with what we have and try and exploit their towers by playing fast and switching and hounding KAT when we’re on offense.

[engelbert321]

I dont love the idea, but maybe give Holland’s minutes to Tec for size and range. Ron is just not ready

[GreekAlex]

I dont love the idea, but maybe give Holland’s minutes to Tec for size and range. Ron is just not ready

I’d give him another chance. Not sure 6 minutes is enough to make a decision on a 19 year old rookie that has shown great potential this season.

Things could be worse. Ask Kyle Kuzma

[Rip32]

Just like the injury bug shattered/derailed the Lions season, not having Stewart would do the same. I feel so bad for Stew. The guy is the heart and soul of this team

[catari11]

Agreed. If there's any chance for Stew to play in this series, he should sit out game #2 and prep to play game #3. Let's hope Reed can fill those big shoes.

[Kalamazoo317]

I dont love the idea, but maybe give Holland’s minutes to Tec for size and range. Ron is just not ready

I’d give him another chance. Not sure 6 minutes is enough to make a decision on a 19 year old rookie that has shown great potential this season.

Things could be worse. Ask Kyle Kuzma

Yeah, what the heck happened to Kuzma in that game? How does a starter with his profile put up 0 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists?

[tmorgan]

Because Kuzma is a bum. Mostly has been his whole career.

[GreekAlex]

Because Kuzma is a bum. Mostly has been his whole career.

I’m so glad we avoided him. Even on his best days, he’s been fools gold.

It would drive me crazy when posters were advocating to acquire him.

[Canadafan]

Because Kuzma is a bum. Mostly has been his whole career.

I’m so glad we avoided him. Even on his best days, he’s been fools gold.

It would drive me crazy when posters were advocating to acquire him.

My bad
I'm a horrible trade deadline guy. I should just lock myself out of my phone for the month cause of my crazy trade ideas