The New York Knicks (1-1) and Detroit Pistons (1-1) will face off in Game 3 of their first round NBA Playoff series tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Knicks are 1-point favorites over the Pistons on the spread (Knicks -1), with the over/under set at 214.5 total points. New York is a -120 favorite to win outright, while Detroit is +100 to pull off the upset.
The Pistons head back home to Detroit after stealing home-court advantage from the Knicks. The series is tied up at one game apiece with Game 3 and a pivotal 2-1 series lead on the line.
Let’s get into my Knicks vs. Pistons predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, April 24.
[quickslipbasic bookname=”Fanatics” booklogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/573837_FanaticsSportsbook20ALT.png” image=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2025/04/IMG_5237.jpg” buttontext=”Place This Parlay Instantly!” buttonlink=”https://www.scoresandodds.com/all/parlay?quickslip=1&onelink=/5kut/0cecb0ps?sharedBy=QS_0105&ref=10001″][/quickslipbasic]
Knicks vs Pistons Prediction for NBA Playoffs Game 3
My Pistons vs. Knicks Game 3 best bet is on New York moneyline, with the best line currently available at Fanatics. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Knicks Moneyline (-120)
Knicks vs. Pistons Game 3 Betting Odds
[gamematchup league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/740173_58419cc8a6515b1e0ad75a67.png” awayname=”Knicks” awayslug=”new-york-knicks” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/343538_pistons.png” homename=”Pistons” homeslug=”detroit-pistons” date=”Thursday, April 24″ time=”7 p.m. ET” network=”TNT” col1text=”Spread” col2text=”Total” col3text=”Moneyline” col1awaytext=”-1″ col1awayline=”-110″ col1hometext=”+1″ col1homeline=”-110″ col2awaytext=”214.5″ col2hometext=”214.5″ col2awayline=”-110o / -110u” col2homeline=”-110o / -110u” col3awaytext=”-120″ col3hometext=”+100″ col3awayline=”” col3homeline=”” bookname=”DraftKings” bookthumbnaillogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/603379_Primary.png” bookreviewslug=”draftkings”][/gamematchup]
- Knicks vs. Pistons spread: Knicks -1
- Knicks vs. Pistons over/under: 214.5 total points
- Knicks vs. Pistons moneyline: Knicks -120, Pistons +100
- Knicks vs. Pistons best bet: Knicks ML (-120)
_InlineAdBlock
[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Knicks vs. Pistons Game 3 Preview” subtext=”” center=”false” logo1url=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/740173_58419cc8a6515b1e0ad75a67.png” link1=”” link1follow=”true” logo2url=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/343538_pistons.png” link2=”” link2follow=”true” trailinglogourl=”” trailinglink=”” trailinglinkfollow=”true”][/subheader]
The Pistons missed Isaiah Stewart due to knee inflammation in Game 2, and he is now questionable for Game 3. Paul Reed saw his minutes spike in Stew’s absence. The Knicks have a clean bill of health once again.
One of New York’s issues in Game 2 was a bit of an overreliance on Jalen Brunson who had a preposterous 42.5% Usage rate, per Cleaning the Glass. Karl-Anthony Towns had a season low 13.3% Usage and scored 10 points with zero second-half points.
It is absolutely untenable to have your All-NBA Center with that type of stat line and Usage. New York needs to figure out a way to get KAT loose.
The Pistons certainly had a nice whistle in Game 2. They outpaced New York from the charity stripe making 28/34 compared to the Knicks’ 16/19 – 11 of which were from Jalen Brunson.
The Pistons’ 37.8% Free Throw Rate was their third-highest of the season, with the other two being against the Wizards and the Hawks.
Considering their season average is 19.3% (league average 19.0%) and the Knicks have the sixth-lowest Defensive FT Rate, that type of game is unlikely to recur.
Tobias Harris has been important for Detroit. He is playing significant minutes and is up to 40 and 43 in these two games. While his Usage is down, he’s been compensating with the extended minutes.
Harris has exceeded a 20.5 PR line in both games this series, and when he has played 30+ minutes this season, he averages 22.3 PR and has exceeded this mark in 60% of games. I’ll grab this over.
[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Knicks vs. Pistons Betting Predictions” subtext=”” center=”false” logo1url=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/252389_action-logo-check.png”][/subheader]
While Detroit may see a boost returning home here, the Knicks have been solid with a bit of extra rest. They are 12-7 straight up with 2+ days off.
This gives Tom Thibodeau a chance to gameplan, but more importantly it gives their veterans a chance to recover. I’ll back New York to bounce back in Game 3.
For a same game parlay, let’s take Tobias Harris to score 15+ points and grab 8+ rebounds, and to score KAT 20+ points.
Knicks vs. Pistons Best Bet for Game 3
- Knicks Moneyline (-120)
Same Game Parlay Picks
- Karl-Anthony Towns 20+ Points
- Tobias Harris 15+ Points
- Tobias Harris 8+ Rebounds
Parlay Payout: +445
[procard imageurl=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/736824_ActionPRO_promo_1500x844.jpg” cta=”Premium picks, tools & analysis” firstupsell=”Track & follow smart money” secondupsell=”Biggest player prop edges” thirdupsell=”Real-time expert pick alerts” buttontext=”SAVE 66% NOW!” buttonurl=”/pricing”][/procard]
Pistons vs. Knicks Betting Trends
[bettingtrends gameid=”253975″ date=”20250424″][/bettingtrends]
[howtowatch gameid=”253975″ date=”20250424″][/howtowatch]