The New York Knicks (3-2) and Detroit Pistons (2-3) will face off in Game 6 of their first round NBA Playoff series tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Pistons are 1.5-point favorites over the Knicks on the spread (Pistons -1.5), with the over/under set at 213.5 total points. Detroit is a -122 favorite to win outright, while New York is +102 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Knicks vs. Pistons predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, May 1.
Knicks vs. Pistons Picks, Prediction for Thursday, May 1
My Pistons vs. Knicks Game 6 best bet is on Detroit to win the third quarter, with the best line currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Pistons Third Quarter Moneyline (-114)
Knicks vs. Pistons Betting Odds for NBA Playoffs Game 6
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 213.5 -110o / -110u | +102 |
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 213.5 -110o / -110u | -122 |
- Knicks vs. Pistons spread: Pistons -1.5
- Knicks vs. Pistons over/under: 213.5 total points
- Knicks vs. Pistons moneyline: Knicks +102, Pistons -122
- Knicks vs. Pistons best bet: Pistons 3Q ML (-114)
Knicks vs. Pistons Game 6 Preview
The Knicks dropped their opportunity to clinch this series at home and now head back to Detroit for Game 6 tonight, in an effort to close out the series and avoid a winner-take-all Game 7.
The Knicks came out uninspired in Game 5, but after closing the gap late, late-game injuries to Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson kept two of New York’s best players (including the Clutch Player of the Year in Brunson) off the floor in clutch time, resulting in a 3-point loss in the previous meeting between these teams.
There is significant debate as to which team has been better in this series. The Knicks are up 3-2 but the net rating for the Knicks is just +0.1.
This series is separated by just 5 points, with the Knicks ahead by a total score of 532-527. The margin is razor-thin and if it wasn't for a double digit victory and massive comeback in Game 1, this series could easily have swung the other way.
The best 5-man lineup in the playoffs with 100+ possessions is the Pistons starting-5 of Cade, Ausar, Hardaway, Harris, and Duren with a +29.2 point differential. On the flip side, the Knicks starting-5 has been abysmal with a Net Rating of -4.7, per Cleaning the Glass.
This is interesting because the Knicks have actually started off strong in these games, with a +8.1 net rating in the first quarter. However, the swing has been the Pistons' dominance in the third quarter, with a +28 net rating in the third stanzas.
The Pistons have done an excellent job adjusting as the game progresses, especially following the halftime break. They have won every third quarter in this series, and I'll back them to do so once again in Game 6 tonight.
For my same game parlay, I'll grab Ausar Thompson 4+ rebounds, OG Anunoby 2+ steals, and Josh Hart 5+ assists for a potential payout of +155 at Fanatics.
Knicks vs. Pistons Best Bet for Game 6
- Pistons 3Q ML (-114)
Knicks vs. Pistons Parlay Picks for Thursday
- Ausar Thompson 4+ Rebounds
- OG Anunoby 2+ Steals
- Josh Hart 5+ Assists
Parlay Payout: +155
Pistons vs. Knicks Betting Trends
