You can’t have a Game 7 without a Game 6
The Detroit Pistons have already staved off elimination once, and they are looking to do it again. This time, they are hosting the New York Knicks , and if they can win tonight and force a Game 7, I am not sure how to adequately describe what the atmosphere within Little Caesars Arena will be like. The Pistons were able to force Game 5 behind stifling defense from Ausar Thompson, excellent big-man passing from Jalen Duren, as Cade Cunningham navigated double teams. There was also the aforementioned Cade, who took over in the fourth quarter by bending New York to his will on screens and drives. Cade has orchestrated things beautifully all series, but it hasn’t always translated to his shots falling. In Game 5, he struggled with his shot, but found a rhythm that finally unlocked an ability to get calls on his drives to the lane. After a first half that saw him shoot just 2-of-8 with zero free throws, Cade was 4-of-9 from the field, 1-of-2 from deep, and 11-of-12 from the charity stripe. More of all that, please. Isaiah Stewart will once again not suit up for the Pistons, while New York’s injury report is clean. That doesn’t mean everyone is perfectly healthy, however. Both Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart got banged up in Game 5, and the Pistons should put pressure on both players until they’ve proven they have the strength and stamina to keep up tonight.
Game Vitals
When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: TNT, TruTV, MAX, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -1.5
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (3-2)
Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway Jr., Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
New York Knicks (3-2)
Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns