The Pistons have won two of their last seven games. They went 12-26 against the team on a winning record.
And they are at the top of the world taking part in a first round matchup with the Knicks.
After recording the league's worst 14 wins last season, Detroit will be playing in the first playoffs of the playoffs for the first time in six years, looking for their first playoff game victory since 2008.
“That's special for us,” Pistons star Cade Cunningham told reporters after the game Friday. “We are very happy with the city and our fan base. [But] We are not satisfied at all. [We’re] Still hungry. I want to win this first round.
“Last year's tip was on my shoulder. I think everyone understood that and wanted to come in.”
Detroit played against the Knicks 3-1 this season, but a single Pistons victory occurred without the Karl Anthony Towns playing, and OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson actually didn't make its matchup on Thursday.
Even the pistons don't have much stock in these results.
“The regular season is the regular season,” Malik Beasley said. “It's all different in the playoffs. We're confident, but at the same time they're a great team so we have to play basketball… grit and green basketball.
The Knicks have seen what life is like without Jalen Branson.
Now they are waiting to feel the impact of retrieving the captain.
Despite Branson returning from an ankle sprain that sidelined with him in 15 games last week, the Knicks dropped three of their four games and reinserted an all-NBA guard into the lineup.
The Clutch Player of the Year candidate alternated two sharp, 27-point shows with inefficient 15-point efforts.
In four games from a long absence in a month, Branson averaged 21 points and 5.8 assists, shooting 43.5% off the field.
“It feels good,” Branson said after losing to the Cavaliers on Friday. “I feel better, so keep working hard for it and make sure you are 100% willing to move forward on Sunday.
“I feel like I'm past [the injury] Most of the time. Obviously, it's human nature to think about things, but most of the time I'm past that. ”
It's unclear whether Branson will fit today's regular season finale in Brooklyn – the playoff seeds are set to stone, but the Starguard wishes are clear.
“I want to win on Sunday,” Branson said. “It's simple and simple.”
