Knicks vs. Pistons Game 6 Preview & Best Bets (May 1, 2025)
- The Knicks are still out in front at 3-2, but they let Game 5 slip at home in a close 106–103 loss.
- Detroit got the win with a physical defense and shot-making—now they bring the fight back home for Game 6.
- It’s win-or-done for the Pistons and a test for the Knicks, who’ve looked sort of rattled in previous closeouts.
- Brunson and Cunningham headline a matchup that’s been tougher and getting more physical each game.
How is Game 6 lining up? Look below for team and individual player matchups, the best betting angles, and where the value is before tipoff!
Quick Hits
- Series Status: Knicks lead 3-2
- Tip-Off: 7:30 pm ET at Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
- Broadcast: TNT / truTV / Max
- Odds: Pistons -2; O/U 213
Why This Game Matters
After losing two straight, Detroit finally broke through in Game 5, and they did it while on the road. Now they’re back home with a chance to even things up in front of their fans. The Knicks have one job, and that’s to finish it up or risk going to Game 7 and possibly lose the series. The pressure is on for both sides, and it’s going to be apparent in how this one opens.
Game Breakdown
New York still has the advantage, but the Pistons could change that and tie it up. Here’s how both sides have to play in Game 6 if they want to walk out of the Little Caesars Arena with the win.
Knicks’ Strategy
New York needs to clean up the mistakes that were made in Game 5, and that means getting their backcourt together.
- Jalen Brunson: He was struggling in the last game, going just 4-for-16 from the field. He doesn’t need 35 points, but he can’t afford to have another kind of night. The offense starts and ends with him.
- Karl-Anthony Towns: Needs to go straight at Detroit’s interior defense and quit settling for outside jumpers. He has the size advantage, and he needs to use it.
- Perimeter Shooting: The Knicks need a lot more production from their role players, particularly Josh Hart and Quentin Grimes, to pull defenders away from the paint and create cleaner driving lanes.
Pistons’ Game Plan
Detroit proved in Game 5 that they can dictate stretches on their terms, but the question is, can they do it again?
- Cade Cunningham: He’s taken control of this series for Detroit, finding his teammates, creating his own shots, and staying composed late in the games.
- Physical Defense: Jalen Duren’s rim protection and Tobias Harris’s perimeter pressure made life super uncomfy for New York’s guards. That has to continue if they’re going to hold serve at home.
- Bench Contribution: Ausar Thompson gave them a real boost in the last game. If the Pistons can keep their energy up and score from the second unit? They’ll be tough to intimidate.
Key Matchups
By this point, both teams know each other inside and out. What matters now? Who wins the personal battles, not just the game plan, but the in-game decisions that change possession by possession.
- Brunson vs. Cunningham: Brunson has carried New York through a lot of tough games, but Cunningham is doing more on both ends right now. His ability to read coverages and control the tempo has given Detroit the upper hand in the last few outings.
- Towns vs. Duren: Towns has been floundering when he’s pushed off his spots, and Duren isn’t giving him much room to operate. If Towns can’t draw fouls or get deep position, New York’s half-court offense gets blown apart.
- Three-Point Shooting: Neither team has shot lights out, but timely threes have swung momentum late in the game. Whichever side gets a couple early to fall could be able to stretch the floor just enough to open things up.
Best Bets
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Knicks | +2 (-108) | +116 | Over 213 (-110) |
Pistons | -2 (-112) | -136 | Under 213 (-110) |
Game 6 will be yet another defensive battle, and the betting market shows it. Here’s where the value sits as of now on FanDuel!
- Under 213 Total Points: Four out of the five games in the series have been low-scoring, and both teams have been forcing longer possessions and protecting the paint.
- Pistons -2 Spread: With their crowd behind them and coming off a strong Game 5 showing, Detroit is in a pretty good spot to push this to a Game 7.
- First Half Under 106.5: It’ll probably be a slower start as both teams try to feel each other out. Nerves plus heavy defensive energy could make for a cold-ish opening quarter.
Final Thoughts & Game 6 Pick
The Knicks had the chance to end this series while at home, and they missed. Now they head into a tough road game against a team that’s looking their best and wants to win. New York does have the talent and the advantage on paper, but so far? Detroit’s been playing with cooler heads late in the games.
- Our Pick: Pistons -2.5 and Under 213.5
We feel like this one is gonna go to a Game 7 back in the Big Apple. If you’re ready to place a bet on this game, be sure to check out these trusted betting websites.
