Having battled hard to take a 1-0 lead in the series, the New York Knicks will be aiming to seize further control with a Game Two victory against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
Knowing how decisive 2-0 leads have often proven to be in playoff history, the Pistons will be eager to shake off their opening defeat and level the tie before heading to their home court.
Match preview
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Despite losing each of their final three regular-season matches against the Pistons, the New York Knicks were favourites to go through in the sides' opening playoff match on Saturday evening.
Unsurprisingly, Tom Thibodeau's men were really made to work in their first-round opener, needing a stunning fourth-quarter comeback to down their fellow Eastern counterparts 123-112 and make home advantage count.
Trailing 83-91 heading into the final 12 minutes, the Knicks scored 21 unreplied points midway through the quarter to take a 111-98 advantage, and there was always going to be only one winner from that point.
Jalen Brunson averaged 32.4 points across 13 playoff matches in his sophomore campaign as a Knick last time out, and the guard has picked up right where he left off with a game-high 34 points to go along with eight assists.
If the Knicks ever thought they were in for an easy ride against the Pistons, Saturday's clash would have surely doused that notion, so the home side will need to be at their best in Tuesday's encounter to put themselves firmly in the driving seat.
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By far the most improved team in the NBA taking last season's performance into action, the Pistons surpassed the expectations of many to finish sixth and set up a playoff series against the New York Knicks.
JB Bickerstaff's men nearly made a dream start to their post-season journey but just about fell short down the stretch as they were beaten for a third consecutive game following defeats in each of their final two regular-season outings.
You would have to go back to October for the last time that the Pistons lost four matches in a row, which will definitely provide some optimism for the Detroit-based outfit ahead of Tuesday's crunch affair.
Continuing to provide some much-needed offensive spark off the bench, Malik Beasley drained six three-pointers last time out, accounting for 40% of his team's success behind the arc, and will need to be at his best once again here.
Recording 10 more turnovers (19) than their hosts (nine) last time out, the Knicks will also have to take better care in possession of the ball if they are to stand any real chance of coming out on top at Tuesday's venue for the second time since the turn of the year.
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Team News
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Ariel Hukporti is not far off taking to the court for the Knicks for the first time since February, when he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee, but Tuesday's game is expected to come too soon for him.
Twenty-seven-year-old Mitchell Robinson was absent from his side's season finale against city rivals Brooklyn Nets last Sunday but returned to the fold for Saturday's contest.
Karl-Anthony Towns notched an impressive 23-point, 11-rebound double-double in his first playoff outing for his new employers, making him one to keep an eye on here.
Jaden Ivey continued his spell on the sidelines with a fractured fibula in his left leg, but there is optimism that the 23-year-old will be back at some point during the playoffs.
In Ivey's absence, Ausar Thompson has continued to start alongside Cade Cunningham in the backcourt with Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr manning the forward positions.
New York Knicks possible starting 5:
Brunson, Hart; Bridges, Anunoby; Towns
Detroit Pistons possible starting 5:
Cunningham, Thompson; Harris, Hardaway Jr; Duren
We say: The New York Knicks to win by 6+ points.
The New York Knicks showed great resolve to take the win on Saturday but will know that another slow start here could have a more fatal consequence.
We are backing the home side to get the job done and take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Joshua Ojele
