Towns and the Knicks host Detroit to begin playoffs

By  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
 
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Detroit Pistons (44-38, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (51-31, third in the Eastern Conference)

New York; Saturday, 6 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Knicks -7; over/under is 220.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Knicks host first series matchup

BOTTOM LINE: The New York Knicks host the Detroit Pistons to begin the Eastern Conference first round. New York and Detroit tied the regular season series 0-0.

The Knicks are 34-18 against Eastern Conference opponents. New York is ninth in the NBA allowing only 111.7 points per game while holding opponents to 47.4% shooting.

The Pistons have gone 29-23 against Eastern Conference opponents. Detroit scores 115.5 points and has outscored opponents by 1.9 points per game.

The Knicks make 48.6% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.5 percentage points higher than the Pistons have allowed to their opponents (46.1%). The Pistons are shooting 47.6% from the field, 0.2% higher than the 47.4% the Knicks’ opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Knicks. OG Anunoby is averaging 19.3 points over the last 10 games.

Cade Cunningham is averaging 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists for the Pistons. Malik Beasley is averaging 3.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 6-4, averaging 110.7 points, 41.1 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 9.3 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.5 points per game.

Pistons: 4-6, averaging 116.6 points, 42.1 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 6.5 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.2 points.

INJURIES: Knicks: Ariel Hukporti: out (knee), OG Anunoby: day to day (thumb).

Pistons: Jaden Ivey: out (leg), Isaiah Stewart: day to day (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.