The Knicks are back where they wanted to be, but the path ahead may be trickier than it looks. With Detroit and Cleveland locked at 2-2 in the East semifinals, the conversation has shifted to which possible opponent would give New York the bigger problem.
On The Putback, Ian Begley made his case for the Pistons, pointing straight at Cade Cunningham as the tone-setter who can put constant pressure on a defense.
Pistons Suddenly Look Like Bigger Problem for Knicks Than Cavaliers
GettyKnicks-Pistons East Finals Scenario Comes With Massive Cade Cunningham Threat
Begley’s point is reasonable. In the latest episode of The Putback, he said:
“I’m going to say Detroit because I still think just Cade Cunningham. I know it hasn’t been a pretty postseason for him. I know he’s had some bad moments, but he’s so dangerous. And the amount that he has the ball in his hands, he can just impact the game when he gets going in such a significant way.”
Ian and @mattspendley answer on The Putback with @IanBegley
To be sure, Cunningham hasn’t been perfect in the playoffs, but he is still a major factor as the ball is almost always in his hands and Detroit is able to run its entire offense through him.
In Game 4 against Cleveland, the Cavaliers tied the series 2-2 behind Donovan Mitchell’s 43-point explosion, keeping the Pistons in a knife fight.
If Detroit advances, the Knicks would be dealing with a team that has already been stress-tested in a brutal series and a star capable of taking over by force.
Why the Pistons Look Like the Bigger Knicks Problem
GettyCade Cunningham Emerging as Knicks’ Biggest Eastern Conference Threat
That statement has also been reflected in what the Pistons have done to the Knicks so far this season. The first time Detroit and New York met this season, the Pistons beat the Knicks 121-90.
Then the Pistons won again on Feb. 6, and on Feb. 19, Cade scored 42 points and dished out 13 assists in a 126-111 victory at Madison Square Garden.
Basically, Detroit has demonstrated that it can control the tempo, attack the paint, and make the Knicks play catch-up.
The standings just add to the argument. While Detroit finished the regular season 60-22 and was the first in the East, New York was 53-29 and third, so if the Knicks and Pistons meet in the Eastern Conference Finals, Detroit will have the home-court advantage. That is a big issue for the Knicks who depend on physicality and the crowd’s energy, especially against a Pistons team that already looks forward to the challenge.
If the Knicks and Pistons meet, then most probably it will be the closer and rougher series. New York still has the shooting and the experience in the playoffs to take the series, but Detroit has the straightforward way to turning it into a battle.
If Cunningham is on fire right from the start, the Pistons can force the Knicks to go to seven games. On the other hand, if the Knicks manage to limit Cade’s plays and win the possession battle, they should still feel good about their chances to make it to the Finals.
Knicks Receive Cade Cunningham Warning Before Eastern Conference Finals