The Detroit Pistons secured a crucial victory against the New York Knicks in Game 2 of their playoff series, leveling the best-of-seven matchup at one game apiece. It would have been their first since 2019 when the Pistons last hosted a playoff game. With heart and grit, they broke a franchise record 15-game playoff losing streak that stretched back to May of 2008.
Detroit jumped on them early, taking a 15-point lead in the first half. They proved that supremacy during the opening 45 minutes. By taking advantage of their clear free throw shooting discrepancy, they forced a 14-2 gap. That difference in free throw attempts was a popular narrative after the game, with Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau lamenting the game’s officiating.
The huge discrepancy in free throws. Huge. I don’t understand how, on one side, there are direct line drives with contact that just aren’t being called, Thibodeau stated.
This was compounded by the fact that the Knicks struggled to get into their sets in Game 2. Their woes from deep severely limited their offensive potency. Despite their difficulties, New York managed to stage a late comeback, tying the game at 94 with just over a minute remaining.
Period by period, the Pistons took an eight-point cushion into the fourth quarter as the game headed down the stretch. Because of multiple miscues, they let the Knicks back into the competition. In a critical moment of the game, Dennis Schroder hit a go-ahead three-pointer with just 55 seconds left, solidifying the Pistons’ lead.
The Pistons’ defense played a crucial role in their victory, forcing the Knicks into stagnant offensive possessions and limiting their scoring opportunities. The Knicks have already established this year that they’re more than capable of coming back. Incredibly, they managed to engineer a phenomenal 21-0 stretch during the fourth quarter of Game 1! Unlike previous years, though, they were unable to perform that magic again.
Long after the game, Pistons players and coaches were still relieved. They were happy to end the long playoff drought! The calmness their team showed when the pressure was highest went a long way in their ability to find the championship rarefied air.
“You know it’s different, but you kind of have to experience it,” said Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, reflecting on the significance of the win for his players and the franchise.
From Detroit’s perspective, the mood inside Little Caesars Arena was euphoric as fans enjoyed the playoff renaissance of their beloved Red Wings. The win gave the squad not only a sorely-needed jolt in confidence, but it showed the way for what this team is capable of this postseason.
Despite the valiant efforts of the Knicks who desperately tried to return the tide in the final minutes of the game, it wasn’t enough. Their play from outside was an issue too, as they ranked near the bottom of CBB in three-point shooting percentage.
As we all eagerly await Game 3, emotions are sure to be high in what is set up to be a great battle between these two squads. The series is returning home to New York. This new amendment will bring more drama and excitement to both competing teams, as each one struggles to gain the better of the two incentives.
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