It came down to the final possession, but Detroit couldn’t pull out the victory – and New York now leads the series 2-1.
That was a playoff basketball game.
It was incredibly tense from start to finish as the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks went toe-to-toe and blow-to-blow. It was chippy between the two teams the entire time. We saw a flagrant-1 foul from Jalen Brunson, three technical fouls due to a kerfuffle between Paul Reed, Mitchell Robinson, and Karl-Anthony Towns, and double-technicals issued to Dennis Schroder and Cam Payne.
In the end, the Knicks were able to rely on their star players to carry them across the finish line, 118-116. The Pistons, meanwhile, made it close, but didn’t get enough from its key players, but fought and scrapped to the end.
It went down to the final play, but after a back-and-forth battle, Detroit couldn’t pull out the victory due to the Knicks ’ Big Four. Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, and KAT combined to score 103 of New York’s 118 points. The Pistons battled back after being down double-digits multiple times, but took the Game 3 loss 118-116. As loud as Little Caesars Arena was, and as much as they made their feelings towards Jalen Brunson known, the Knicks showed up tonight.
Cade Cunningham finished with 24 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists. It wasn’t an efficient night as he took 25 shots and had six turnovers. New York was doubling him after every ball screen, and they played a physical game with him tonight. JB Bickerstaff and his coaching staff will have to get creative to counter New York when they trap Cunningham.
Tim Hardaway Jr was the veteran savior tonight. He also had 24 points, shooting 7-for-12 from deep. He was on fire early while other veterans Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris combined for 17 points on 23 attempts. They didn’t get shots to fall tonight in a game where it felt like this team never got a bucket when they really needed one. Detroit was able to make it a one possession game consistently, but they never could get over the hump to reclaim the lead.
Dennis Schroder added 18 points, shooting 4-for-6 from three. He was fantastic off the bench once again this postseason, and it can’t be understated how much he’s adding to this team right now. He continues to make tough shots in clutch moments.
I don’t feel like this is one of those games to feel down about the team’s performance. We could’ve used a more efficient Cade, but New York is doubling him like the superstar he is. Malik Beasley hasn’t shot it well the past two games. He was 2-for-10 from deep tonight, but multiple of those attempts were wide open looks that he usually makes. The Knicks played their best game all series, and it still only resulted in a two-point loss for Detroit.
Fingers crossed we hear good news about Isaiah Stewart’s availability for next game because Detroit could’ve really used him tonight. New York’s Big Four showed off their impressive shot-making abilities tonight, but having a bruiser like Beef Stew on the court for half the game will absolutely make a difference.
Let’s see if Detroit can even the series again with a Game 4 Sunday matinee.