The Knicks have the opportunity to observe as the Eastern Conference semifinals unfold, waiting to see who will be their opponent in the conference finals.
The series between the Pistons and Cavaliers is currently tied 2-2, with each team securing victories in their respective home games.
But who would the Knicks prefer to face? There are compelling arguments for both sides. Let’s delve into the details:
For the Cavaliers
The Knicks had a rough time against the Pistons during the regular season, losing all three games. Notably, the closest defeat was by 15 points; they also faced losses by 31 and 38 points.
The Knicks struggled significantly against the physical defense and interior strength of the Pistons.
However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that what happens in the regular season often doesn’t translate directly to the playoffs.
For the Pistons
Offensively, the Pistons are quite predictable. They heavily rely on Cade Cunningham, lacking a reliable secondary scorer to take over when needed.
Jalen Duren has been one of the most disappointing players this postseason. His averages have dropped dramatically, from 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds during the regular season to just 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in the playoffs. Author Thompson’s scoring ability is limited, while Duncan Robinson is mainly a catch-and-shoot player who struggles to contribute in other ways. Tobias Harris has shown flashes of greatness this postseason, but he’s not someone the Knicks should lose sleep over.
With players like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, the Knicks have solid options to contain Cunningham and force others to step up.
On the other hand, the Cavaliers possess a bit more offensive firepower, especially with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden in the lineup.
For the Cavaliers Again
The Knicks excelled in the paint against teams like the Hawks and 76ers. Despite Duren’s inconsistent performances, the Pistons have excelled defensively, allowing only 39.1 points in the paint this postseason—the best in the NBA as of Tuesday. The Cavaliers, in comparison, are allowing significantly more, at 50.2 points per game.
The Cavaliers feature Evan Mobley, a former Defensive Player of the Year, but his challenges against the Knicks have been evident. Karl-Anthony Towns is integral to the Knicks’ offense, and they might prefer a more agile Mobley over a stronger version.
Overall, the Cavaliers’ defensive capabilities lack the depth of the Pistons, with a defensive rating of 113.1 ranking them 11th among playoff teams. The Pistons sit comfortably in third with a rating of 106.1.
For the Pistons Again
Despite his offensive challenges, Thompson stands out as one of the top perimeter defenders in the league. He’s likely to clamp down on Jalen Brunson, as he did in last year’s playoffs.
But Brunson has shown he can handle that challenge. Who could forget his decisive move to clinch the series in Game 6 last year?
In their three encounters this season, the Cavaliers seem to have designated Dean Wade as a possible stopper for Brunson. With Wade guarding him, Brunson managed a mere 1-of-16 shooting and missed all six attempts from beyond the arc, according to stats.
While the Cavaliers may struggle on defense overall, they do have better tools for containing Brunson specifically.
For the Cavaliers Once More
The Knicks will have home-court advantage, which is significant. Last year’s first-round matchup saw Little Caesars Arena erupt with noise, as Pistons fans relentlessly jeered at Brunson.
Avoiding the intensity of the first two games and a potential Game 7 on the road is definitely beneficial.
In Either Scenario
Both JB Bickerstaff and Kenny Atkinson have been strong regular-season coaches but haven’t found much success in the playoffs. In contrast, Mike Brown has made effective adjustments for the Knicks. Regardless, they’re likely confident in their ability to leverage a coaching edge.
In terms of depth, both teams are relatively matched. The Cavaliers are eighth in postseason bench scoring, while the Pistons are just behind them at eleventh.
The Conclusion Reads:
Overall, the Knicks would likely prefer facing the Cavaliers. While the Pistons may have shown promise in the playoffs, their elite defense remains a challenge, especially with offensive struggles. The Knicks have reached new heights in offensive performance over the past two years with their current roster. The Pistons’ physical style could pose a greater risk to disrupt that rhythm than the Cavaliers.
Cunningham is undoubtedly the most threatening adversary left in the Eastern Conference.
Moreover, securing home-court advantage is critical. It can be daunting to kick off the first two games—and possibly a Game 7—off the road, especially considering the Cavaliers have lost all five of their away games this postseason.
