With nothing to choose between the teams after the first two games of their playoff first-round series, the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks face off at Little Caesars Arena on Friday.
Taking part in a first home playoff game since 2019, the hosts will be eager to make home advantage count and put themselves in the driving seat to make it through to the second round.
Match preview
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Three days on since giving up a 21-0 run in the fourth quarter of Game One en route to a 123-112 defeat, the Detroit Pistons were not going to let the Knicks off the hook for the second match running as they claimed a 100-94 triumph on Tuesday.
JB Bickerstaff's men raced out of the blocks and went into the interval up by six points, and despite relinquishing their advantage with 75 seconds left, the Pistons went on a 6-0 run to close out the contest and get the job done.
Most Improved Player of the Year award nominee Cade Cunningham was once again instrumental for his side as he delivered a 33-point, 12-rebound double-double in only his second-ever playoff appearance.
Having now levelled the series at 1-1, the Pistons have done their chances of progressing to the next round the world of good but must now capitalise on their two-match home slate before returning to New York for Game Five.
Friday's hosts were beaten in three of their final four home outings of the regular season, but it is worth noting their only victory in that time came against the Knicks on April 11, which saw the Pistons win a third straight edition of this fixture at the time.
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The New York Knicks had their blushes spared in Game One courtesy of a four-minute salvo in the closing stages and looked to be on course for another late redemption, albeit all to no avail this time around.
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart had combined to lead their team on an 8-2 run and level the game at 94 apiece heading into the final minute before Dennis Schroder and Jalen Duren came to the fore to close out the game.
Featuring for all but four of the 48 minutes of action, Brunson was left feeling a tad frustrated his 37-point display could not carry his team over the line as the Knicks lost at home yet again for their third home defeat in six matches since the start of April.
Tom Thibodeau's men are now 1-4 across their last five outings against the Pistons, and there is enough evidence to suggest an upset could be on the cards in this third vs sixth matchup in the Eastern Conference.
Despite boasting one of the more illustrious front courts, the Knicks were out-rebounded by 14 by a more physical Pistons outfit and will need to improve their work on the glass if they are to avoid going behind at the end of Friday's encounter.
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Team News
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Ariel Hukporti is still out of action for the Knicks due to a torn meniscus in his left knee, but the Germany international is drawing increasingly closer to returning to the fold.
Having put up 71 points across his two playoff matches so far, Jalen Brunson is definitely one to keep an eye on for the away side as he looks to deliver the goods once again.
Jaden Ivey is the Pistons' only guaranteed absentee for Friday's clash due to a fractured fibula in his left leg, although the guard could be back to feature during the latter stages of the series.
Ausar Thompson will be aiming to bounce back in this one after the guard's disappointing display last time out where he committed six personal fouls and was subsequently ejected.
Detroit Pistons possible starting five:
Cunningham, Thompson; Harris, Hardaway Jr; Duren
New York Knicks possible starting five:
Brunson, Hart; Bridges, Anunoby; Towns
We say: Pistons to win by 6+ points
Given the Pistons' recent record in this fixture and the added advantage of playing on home court, we can see the hosts just about doing enough to fend off their visitors and claim a narrow win.
Adepoju Marvellous
