Game ID: 42400122
Detroit Pistons @ New York Knicks
Monday, April 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM ET
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NYK 18 31 18 27 94DET 25 30 20 25 100
DET @ NYK ScoutingDET @ NYK Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
NYK availability going into 4/10 · 1 day's restOUT Achiuwa missed 2 since 4/06, returns tonight: 40 min (215% of 18)
OUT Tucker missed 11 since 3/20, returns tonight: 27 min (172% of 16)
OUT Wright missed 2 since 4/06, returns tonight: 13 min (94% of 14)
BACK Brunson back 4/06 after 15, 36 min since (102% of 36)
BACK McBride back 4/06 after 8, 18 min since (77% of 24)
BACK Robinson back 4/06 after 2, 14 min since (75% of 19)
BACK Payne back 4/05 after 4, 16 min since (119% of 14)
NEW Shamet 14 to 22 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 4/11 · back-to-backBACK Brunson back 4/06 after 15, 34 min since (95% of 36)
BACK McBride back 4/06 after 8, 25 min since (106% of 24)
BACK Robinson back 4/06 after 2, 14 min since (75% of 19)
BACK Achiuwa back 4/10 after 2, 40 min since (215% of 18)
BACK Tucker back 4/10 after 11, 27 min since (172% of 16)
BACK Payne back 4/05 after 4, 16 min since (115% of 14)
BACK Wright back 4/10 after 2, 13 min since (94% of 14)
NYK availability going into 4/13 · 1 day's restBACK Brunson back 4/06 after 15, 35 min since (96% of 36)
BACK McBride back 4/06 after 8, 23 min since (98% of 24)
BACK Robinson back 4/06 after 2, 20 min since (108% of 19)
BACK Achiuwa back 4/10 after 2, 27 min since (148% of 18)
BACK Tucker back 4/10 after 11, 27 min since (172% of 16)
BACK Payne back 4/05 after 4, 15 min since (109% of 14)
BACK Wright back 4/10 after 2, 13 min since (94% of 14)
NYK availability going into 4/19 · 5 days' restOUT Towns missed 2 since 4/11, returns tonight: 39 min (112% of 35)
BACK Brunson back 4/06 after 15, 35 min since (96% of 36)
BACK McBride back 4/06 after 8, 25 min since (104% of 24)
BACK Robinson back 4/06 after 2, 20 min since (108% of 19)
BACK Achiuwa back 4/10 after 2, 29 min since (158% of 18)
BACK Tucker back 4/10 after 11, 28 min since (180% of 16)
BACK Wright back 4/10 after 2, 17 min since (121% of 14)
NEW Shamet 14 to 19 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 4/21 · 1 day's restBACK Towns back 4/19 after 2, 39 min since (112% of 35)
BACK Achiuwa back 4/10 after 2, 29 min since (158% of 18)
BACK Tucker back 4/10 after 11, 28 min since (180% of 16)
BACK Wright back 4/10 after 2, 17 min since (121% of 14)
NYK availability going into 4/24 · 2 days' restOUT Achiuwa missed 2 since 4/19, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 2 since 4/19, out tonight
OUT Wright missed 2 since 4/19, out tonight
BACK Towns back 4/19 after 2, 36 min since (104% of 35)
NYK availability going into 4/27 · 2 days' restOUT Achiuwa missed 3 since 4/19, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 3 since 4/19, out tonight
OUT Wright missed 3 since 4/19, out tonight
BACK Towns back 4/19 after 2, 38 min since (108% of 35)
NYK availability going into 4/29 · 1 day's restOUT Achiuwa missed 4 since 4/19, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 4 since 4/19, out tonight
OUT Wright missed 4 since 4/19, out tonight
BACK Towns back 4/19 after 2, 39 min since (110% of 35)
NYK availability going into 5/01 · 1 day's restOUT Achiuwa missed 5 since 4/19, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 5 since 4/19, out tonight
OUT Wright missed 5 since 4/19, out tonight
BACK Towns back 4/19 after 2, 38 min since (108% of 35)
DET availability going into 4/10 · 2 days' restOUT Harris missed 3 since 4/04, returns tonight: 28 min (87% of 32)
OUT Smith missed 17 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Harper Jr. missed 29 since 2/05, out tonight
BACK Cunningham back 4/05 after 6, 30 min since (85% of 36)
BACK Stewart back 4/05 after 2, 31 min since (157% of 20)
NEW Hardaway Jr. 28 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Beasley 28 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Schröder 26 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Thompson 22 to 31 min over the last 5
DET availability going into 4/11 · back-to-backOUT Smith missed 18 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Harper Jr. missed 30 since 2/05, out tonight
BACK Cunningham back 4/05 after 6, 32 min since (89% of 36)
BACK Harris back 4/02 after 2, 25 min since (78% of 32)
BACK Stewart back 4/05 after 2, 28 min since (142% of 20)
NEW Hardaway Jr. 28 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Schröder 26 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Thompson 22 to 29 min over the last 5
DET availability going into 4/13 · 1 day's restOUT Smith missed 19 since 3/05, returns tonight: 22 min (100% of 22)
OUT Harper Jr. missed 31 since 2/05, returns tonight: 17 min (100% of 17)
OUT Sasser missed 2 since 4/10, returns tonight: 43 min (304% of 14)
BACK Cunningham back 4/05 after 6, 33 min since (92% of 36)
BACK Harris back 4/10 after 3, 29 min since (90% of 32)
BACK Stewart back 4/05 after 2, 28 min since (142% of 20)
NEW Thompson 22 to 28 min over the last 5
DET availability going into 4/19 · 5 days' restOUT Stewart missed 2 since 4/11, returns tonight: 19 min (95% of 20)
BACK Cunningham back 4/05 after 6, 33 min since (92% of 36)
BACK Harris back 4/10 after 3, 23 min since (70% of 32)
BACK Smith back 4/13 after 19, 22 min since (100% of 22)
BACK Harper Jr. back 4/13 after 31, 17 min since (100% of 17)
BACK Sasser back 4/13 after 2, 43 min since (304% of 14)
DET availability going into 4/21 · 1 day's restBACK Harris back 4/10 after 3, 27 min since (84% of 32)
BACK Smith back 4/13 after 19, 22 min since (100% of 22)
BACK Stewart back 4/19 after 2, 19 min since (95% of 20)
BACK Harper Jr. back 4/13 after 31, 17 min since (100% of 17)
BACK Sasser back 4/13 after 2, 43 min since (304% of 14)
DET availability going into 4/24 · 2 days' restOUT Fontecchio missed 2 since 4/19, out tonight
OUT Sasser missed 2 since 4/19, out tonight
BACK Harris back 4/10 after 3, 30 min since (94% of 32)
BACK Smith back 4/13 after 19, 22 min since (100% of 22)
BACK Stewart back 4/19 after 2, 19 min since (95% of 20)
BACK Harper Jr. back 4/13 after 31, 17 min since (100% of 17)
DET availability going into 4/27 · 2 days' restOUT Stewart missed 2 since 4/21, out tonight
OUT Fontecchio missed 3 since 4/19, out tonight
OUT Sasser missed 3 since 4/19, out tonight
BACK Smith back 4/13 after 19, 22 min since (100% of 22)
BACK Harper Jr. back 4/13 after 31, 17 min since (100% of 17)
DET availability going into 4/29 · 1 day's restOUT Stewart missed 3 since 4/21, out tonight
OUT Fontecchio missed 4 since 4/19, out tonight
OUT Sasser missed 4 since 4/19, out tonight
BACK Smith back 4/13 after 19, 22 min since (100% of 22)
BACK Harper Jr. back 4/13 after 31, 17 min since (100% of 17)
NEW Cunningham 36 to 42 min over the last 4
DET availability going into 5/01 · 1 day's restOUT Stewart missed 4 since 4/21, out tonight
OUT Fontecchio missed 5 since 4/19, out tonight
OUT Sasser missed 5 since 4/19, out tonight
NEW Cunningham 36 to 41 min over the last 5
NEW Harris 32 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Duren 27 to 33 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Towns at 27 and Brunson at 26 a game. One day's rest. Detroit comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 124, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Cunningham at 32 and Beasley at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 112 a night to Detroit's 124 and the arc, Detroit at 40 percent from three to New York's 35. Call it New York 118, Detroit 113.
4/10 @ DET 106-115 — NYK notes
NYK lost 106-115. NYK took 8 more shots (90 to 82), fed by 11 offensive rebounds, but shot 47% to DET's 57%, 11 of 34 from three. Towns led with 25 (10 of 19); Achiuwa added 18, Bridges 17. Q1 was theirs, 35-29, but the other 3 periods went 86-71 against them. They led by as many as 13. McBride's -15 in 39 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/11 vs CLE 102-108 — NYK notes
NYK lost 102-108. NYK took 11 more shots (88 to 77), fed by 10 offensive rebounds, but shot 41% to CLE's 49%, 16 of 41 from three, and got to the line 20 times to CLE's 30. NYK turned it over 8 times to CLE's 15. The glass went 35-49 against them. Brunson led with 27 (9 of 17, 3 of 7 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Bridges added 17, Anunoby 15. Q1 was theirs, 39-24, but the other 3 periods went 84-63 against them. They led by as many as 23. Hart's -16 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/13 @ BKN 113-105 — NYK notes
NYK won 113-105. NYK shot 43% (37 of 86) to BKN's 51%, 16 of 42 from three. NYK turned it over 11 times to BKN's 18. Shamet led with 29 (9 of 17, 7 of 13 from three); Payne added 21, Achiuwa 18. The hinge was Q3, 27-17: NYK came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 6. NYK trailed 62-66 at the half and won the second half 51-39. Achiuwa was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
4/19 vs DET 123-112 — NYK notes
NYK won 123-112. NYK shot 53% (49 of 93) to DET's 48%, 10 of 26 from three. NYK turned it over 9 times to DET's 19. Brunson led with 34 (12 of 27, 2 of 5 from three, 8 of 10 at the line); Anunoby added 23, Towns 23. The hinge was Q4, 40-21: NYK came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 11. Payne was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
4/21 vs DET 94-100 — NYK notes
NYK lost 94-100. NYK shot 42% (34 of 81) to DET's 45%, 10 of 35 from three, and got to the line 19 times to DET's 34. The glass went 34-48 against them. Brunson led with 37 (12 of 27, 4 of 12 from three, 9 of 11 at the line); Bridges added 19, Anunoby 10. Q4 was theirs, 27-25, the deficit cut from 8 to 6, but the other 3 periods went 75-67 against them. Towns's -10 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/24 @ DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Detroit comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Cunningham at 32 and Beasley at 17 a game. Without Fontecchio (2 straight). 2 days' rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 108, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brunson at 28 and Towns at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Achiuwa (2 straight), Tucker (2 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Detroit wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-4 a night and New York minus-6 and the defense, New York allowing 108 a night to Detroit's 118. Call it Detroit 114, New York 112, New York keeping it close.
4/27 @ DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Detroit comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Cunningham at 28 and Beasley at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Stewart (2 straight), Fontecchio (3 straight). 2 days' rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 108, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brunson at 32 and Towns at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Achiuwa (3 straight), Tucker (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Detroit wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-4 a night and New York minus-7 and the defense, New York allowing 108 a night to Detroit's 120. Call it Detroit 115, New York 114, New York keeping it close.
4/29 vs DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 105, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brunson at 33 and Towns at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Achiuwa (4 straight), Tucker (4 straight). One day's rest. Detroit comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 114, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Cunningham at 26 and Beasley at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Stewart (3 straight), Fontecchio (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-8 a night and New York minus-7 and the turnovers, Detroit giving it away 16 times a game to New York's 11. Call it New York 114, Detroit 109.
5/01 @ DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Detroit comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 27 free throws a game; Cunningham at 25 and Harris at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Stewart (4 straight), Fontecchio (5 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 105, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brunson at 30 and Towns at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Achiuwa (5 straight), Tucker (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Detroit wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-6 a night and New York minus-6 and the turnovers, Detroit giving it away 16 times a game to New York's 11. Call it Detroit 111, New York 109, New York keeping it close.
4/10 vs NYK 115-106 — DET notes
DET won 115-106. DET shot 57% (47 of 82) to NYK's 47%, 8 of 22 from three. Cunningham led with 36 (16 of 24, 2 of 5 from three); Duren added 18, Harris 17. The hinge was Q4, 30-21: from level to 9 ahead. DET trailed 56-62 at the half and won the second half 59-44. Beasley was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
4/11 vs MIL 119-125 — DET notes
DET lost 119-125. DET shot 49% (46 of 93) to MIL's 46%, 18 of 39 from three, and got to the line 18 times to MIL's 27. Cunningham led with 36 (15 of 21, 3 of 5 from three); Beasley added 21, Harris 17. Q3 was theirs, 32-30, the deficit cut from 3 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 95-87 against them. They led by as many as 11.
4/13 @ MIL 133-140 — DET notes
DET lost 133-140 in 1 overtime. DET took 21 more shots (107 to 86), fed by 14 offensive rebounds, but shot 48% to MIL's 58%, 22 of 59 from three, and got to the line 14 times to MIL's 22. DET turned it over 13 times to MIL's 20. Beasley led with 23 (8 of 14, 7 of 11 from three); Sasser added 18, Waters III 18. Q3 was theirs, 37-27, the deficit cut from 16 to 6, but the other 4 periods went 113-96 against them. Hardaway Jr.'s -18 in 12 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/19 @ NYK 112-123 — DET notes
DET lost 112-123. DET shot 48% (41 of 86) to NYK's 53%, 15 of 32 from three. DET turned it over 19 times to NYK's 9, and NYK turned those into 12 steals. Harris led with 25 (8 of 13, 4 of 5 from three); Cunningham added 21, Beasley 20. Q3 was theirs, 36-26, turning a 2-point deficit into a 8-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 97-76 against them. Duren's -20 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/21 @ NYK 100-94 — DET notes
DET won 100-94. DET shot 45% (33 of 74) to NYK's 42%, 6 of 27 from three, and went to the line 34 times to NYK's 19 — 28 points from the stripe to their 16. The glass went 48-34 for them. Cunningham led with 33 (11 of 21, 1 of 4 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); Schröder added 20, Harris 15. The hinge was Q1, 25-18: from level to 7 ahead, and the lead reached 15. Reed was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
4/24 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Detroit comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Cunningham at 32 and Beasley at 17 a game. Without Fontecchio (2 straight). 2 days' rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 108, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brunson at 28 and Towns at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Achiuwa (2 straight), Tucker (2 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Detroit wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-4 a night and New York minus-6 and the defense, New York allowing 108 a night to Detroit's 118. Call it Detroit 114, New York 112, New York keeping it close.
4/27 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Detroit comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Cunningham at 28 and Beasley at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Stewart (2 straight), Fontecchio (3 straight). 2 days' rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 108, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brunson at 32 and Towns at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Achiuwa (3 straight), Tucker (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Detroit wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-4 a night and New York minus-7 and the defense, New York allowing 108 a night to Detroit's 120. Call it Detroit 115, New York 114, New York keeping it close.
4/29 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 105, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brunson at 33 and Towns at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Achiuwa (4 straight), Tucker (4 straight). One day's rest. Detroit comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 114, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Cunningham at 26 and Beasley at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Stewart (3 straight), Fontecchio (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-8 a night and New York minus-7 and the turnovers, Detroit giving it away 16 times a game to New York's 11. Call it New York 114, Detroit 109.
5/01 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Detroit comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 27 free throws a game; Cunningham at 25 and Harris at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Stewart (4 straight), Fontecchio (5 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 105, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brunson at 30 and Towns at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Achiuwa (5 straight), Tucker (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Detroit wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-6 a night and New York minus-6 and the turnovers, Detroit giving it away 16 times a game to New York's 11. Call it Detroit 111, New York 109, New York keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
NYKCP C. Payne
JB J. Brunson
JH J. Hart
KT K. Towns
LS L. Shamet
MB M. Bridges
MM M. McBride
MR M. Robinson
OA O. Anunoby
DETAT A. Thompson
CC C. Cunningham
DS D. Schröder
JD J. Duren
MB M. Beasley
PR P. Reed
RH R. Holland II
SC Schroder
TH T. Hardaway Jr.
TH T. Harris
NYK/DET the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Pistons snap NBA-record, 15-game postseason losing streak, beating Knicks 100-94 in Game 2
NEW YORK -- — Cade Cunningham wasn't thinking about himself after the first postseason victory of his career. His focus was on all the Detroit fans who stuck by the Pistons during 17 years since the last one.
Now Cunningham and his teammates want to give those fans more than just a game. They want to get them a series.
Cunningham had 33 points and 12 rebounds, Dennis Schroder made the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 55 seconds left, and the Pistons snapped their NBA-record, 15-game postseason losing streak by beating the New York Knicks 100-94 on Monday night in Game 2 of their playoff series.
“It’s a great feeling. It feels good to represent the city like we did tonight,” Cunningham said. “It’s something that the city been waiting on for a long time, so we feel good about it and we’re ready to get back to the crib and perform in front of them.”
The Pistons, who hadn’t even been to the postseason since 2019, recovered after the Knicks erased a 15-point deficit to earn their first playoff victory since Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals against Boston. The Celtics won the final two games of that series and the Pistons were then swept in 2009, 2016 and 2019 before dropping Game 1 at Madison Square Garden.
Now they are back in the win column, all tied in the series and will host Game 3 on Thursday night.
Schroder, who wasn’t even on the Pistons until a trade in February, nailed the 3-pointer after the Knicks had used a 16-4 run to tie it at 94 on Josh Hart’s dunk. He finished with 20 points off the bench.
The Pistons engineered one of the biggest turnarounds in NBA history this season, going 44-38 after a 14-win season in 2023-24 that included a 28-game losing streak, longest ever in a single season.
They were then in good shape to win Game 1 with an eight-point lead after three quarters, before the Knicks used a 21-0 run in the fourth to win 123-112. Detroit built another eight-point advantage after three Monday, and this time made the big plays after another Knicks rally.
“We got bigger things we’re out here for,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “So our focus, and that’s why our guys have been able to grow and be consistent, because they just think about the now and I thought they did a great job tonight of staying in the moment and doing what we needed to do.”
Jalen Brunson scored 37 points for the No. 3-seeded Knicks, but Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby were each limited to 10 after both finished with 23 points in the opener.
“And now it’s on us to respond,” Brunson said.
Cunningham bounced back with a strong performance after the All-Star guard was just 8 for 21 in Game 1. The Knicks struggled to keep him out of the paint and defend him without fouling, as the Pistons shot 14 free throws to the Knicks’ two while building a 55-49 lead at halftime.