The New York Knicks arrive at the NBA playoffs as the third classified of the Eastern Conference. From a fortuitous perspective, they have a real opportunity to win the finals this season, but that is not the reality unless some aspects of their game improve.
The Knicks face the Detroit Pistons in the Playoffs 2025 with the first two games scheduled for Saturday, April 19 (6 pm et) and Monday, April 21 (7:30 pm et), both clashes in the stab of Madison Square Garden de Manhattan.
The Knicks made two transfers last preseason to stand up to the rest of the team’s teams and compete for the championship with the acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges.
Towns averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. His 24.4 points per game placed him 18 of the NBA. Bridges played the 82 games for the fourth consecutive season and fifth time in his career. The 1.98 meter eave averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
Concerns for injuries
The Knicks template, directed by Coach Tom Thinedeau, is a watchmaking bomb in regards to the health of its players, but the first post -season round does not begin until Saturday night, so this free time could benefit its team.
The two-time All-Star Jalen Brunson suffered an ankle injury against Los Angeles Lakers on March 6, which left him out of play during the following month, and did not play until April 6. He showed his best version against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 11, but still has much to improve.
Mitchell Robinson did not debut in the 2024-2025 season until February 28 and only played 17 games this season. He is still in the process of recovering and his physique in painting is crucial for the success of this team, especially against Detroit Pistons very physical.
Lack of competitiveness against the best teams
The New York quintet had a 1-13 record against the first three classified of the east and west conferences in this NBA season, with its only victory against the Houston Rockets on February 3.
In those 14 games, Knicks have a -193. The good news for the Knicks is that they will not face any of those five teams in the first playoffs, but to the Detroit Pistons who are the sixth classified of the East, but has a 3-1 record against the Knicks this season.
Why is good news for Knicks? New York had a positive points difference despite losing three of the four clashes, with a +7. Yes, they lost three games to one, but never lost for double digits, and the only time they beat the Pistons, won by 30 points.
Triple defense
The NY Knicks occupy the 25th position of the League in defense of triples with 36.7 %. The Pistons have a 36.2 % success in triples, which places them in the 17th place of the NBA, but in their four clashes this season, Detroit averaged 40.7 % in triples. If the Pistons sweep with the Knicks, there could be serious problems in the first round.
Cunningham cunning
The Pistons attack is headed by the Cade Cunningham Star Base, who averaged 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game. In the 4 clashes against the Knicks this season, Cunningham averaged approximately 30.8 points, 5 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.
If New York manages to limit its production or match its performance to that of Brunson, in addition to Bridges, Towns or Og Anunoby have great games, Knicks can overcome them in 5 or 6 games.
(With Nick Nickivi report, Amny.com)
