After falling down 3-1 in the series, the Detroit Pistons stormed back in a win-or-go-home Game 5 at Madison Square Garden to force Game 6 back in Detroit.
The home team is favored, but can the Knicks close out the series, or will the teams clash in a decisive Game 7 back at the Garden?
Tonight, I expect Jalen Brunson to bounce back on offense, and for Cade Cunningham to excel as a playmaker. I’m also targeting a Jalen Duren combo prop for my NBA picks for Thursday, May 1.
Best Knicks vs Pistons props
Brunson 30+ points (+110)
Cunningham o9.5 assists (-110)- Duran to record a double-double (-155)
Knicks vs Pistons player props for May 1
Jalen Brunson 30+ points (+110 at bet365)
Although Jalen Brunson finished with just 16 points on 4-for-16 shooting in Game 5, I'm banking on a much-improved performance from the New York Knicks star.
He’s averaged 29.8 points per game in this series, and in nine regular season and postseason matchups with Detroit in 2024-25, Brunson has scored 30+ points seven times.
Brunson has averaged 30.7 points over his last six games following a sub-20 point performance, and he reached 30 in two of the last four instances. Bet on a bounce-back and a big scoring performance in a closeout opportunity.
Cade Cunningham Over 9.5 assists (-110 at bet365)
Cade Cunningham averaged a career-high 9.1 assists per game this season, including 9.4 at home and 8.9 on the road. A trip home should provide a spark to his assist numbers, so I’m taking the Over.
The Detroit Pistons guard has handed out at least 10 assists in 31 regular-season games, and the Pistons went 19-12 in those contests. The Pistons are favorites tonight, and they can force Game 7 with a win.
I expect Cunningham to take over, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be scoring and ignoring. I’m counting on him operating as an elite facilitator and racking up double-digit dimes. Good things happen when he gets teammates involved.
Jalen Duren to record a double-double (-115 at bet365)
Jalen Duren recorded a double-double in 42 of 83 games this season, including 12 of his last 17.
The Pistons' big man averaged 12.6 points and 11.3 rebounds at home compared to just 10.8 points and 9.6 rebounds on the road. He finished with a double-double in 22 of 40 starts at Little Caesars Arena.
Duren logged only 25 minutes in Game 1 of this series, finishing with seven points and six boards. Over the last four games, his playing time has surged to 35 minutes, resulting in 10.8 points and 13 boards per game.
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