The Knicks will begin their playoff runs on Holy Saturday.
Earlier on Monday, the NBA announced that the Knicks Pistons’ Game 1 will chip off on ESPN at 6pm on Saturday.
It is part of the first round of Saturday’s four-game slate, with the Lakers’ Timberwolves occupying the Prime Time slot (8:30pm on ABC).
The Pacers’ Bucks (1pm) and the Nuggets’ Clippers (3:30pm) are other matchups Saturday. The top two teams at each meeting (Cavs, Celtics, Thunder and Rockets) will open to Easter and their opponents.
No. 3 Knicks and No. 6 piston have not been in the series since 1992, when Pat Riley coached Chuck Daly.
New York opens up as a betting favorite despite losing three of the four matches this season to the Pistons, who are looking for their first playoff victory since 2008.
“Obviously they have a great team, but now it’s 0-0,” the Knicks guarded Miles McBride. “That’s all we’re looking for.”
The Knicks have qualified for three straight postseasons under manager Tom Thibodeau, but have not reached the conference finals since 2000.
“We’re going to do our best, and that’s all I know,” McBride said. “That’s everything I have. We’re going to bring the best.”
