Knicks vs. Pistons in 2025 NBA playoffs: Schedule, dates, series odds
The surprising Detroit Pistons led by Cade Cunningham get their first taste of the NBA playoffs against Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks during their first postseason with Karl-Anthony Towns.
The New York Knicks came into this NBA season with big expectations and the Detroit Pistons became the league's big surprise. It sets up for an intriguing Eastern Conference first-round series to start the 2025 playoffs.
The Knicks (51-31) are the favorite in this matchup after reworking their roster with the addition of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns alongside Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart this season in hopes of challenging the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics. They've mostly lived up to that billing, although the final six weeks of the regular season were rockier than expected with Brunson out for a stretch due to an ankle injury.
The Pistons (44-38) were one of the best stories of the NBA regular season, winning 30 more games than the year before under new coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Now, they're searching for the franchise's first playoff series win in 17 years behind a nucleus led by 2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham embracing the tough-minded approach that Detroit rallied around in the past with the Bad Boy-era Pistons and the 2004 NBA championship team.
Experts are already weighing in with predictions when the New York Knicks play the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Here's a look at the current series odds and the latest schedule updates, including how to watch each game of the series:
Knicks vs. Pistons: NBA playoffs odds
The New York Knicks are favorites to defeat the Detroit Pistons in the NBA playoffs, per BetMGM.
Odds as of Thursday, April 17
- Series winner: Knicks (-425); Pistons (+325)
Additionally, a five- or six-game series is seen as the most likely series length:
- Four games: +375
- Five games: +195
- Six games: +240
- Seven games: +270
Knicks vs. Pistons: NBA playoffs schedule, time, TV channel, live streaming
The Eastern Conference first-round series between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons begins with Game 1 on Saturday, April 19 at Madison Square Garden. ESPN, ABC and TNT are all scheduled to broadcast games during the series, which could last as long as two weeks with a potential Game 7 slated for Saturday, May 3.
Here's the updated schedule for Knicks vs. Pistons. All times listed are Eastern.
- Game 1: Pistons at Knicks | Saturday, April 19 | 6 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo
- Game 2: Pistons at Knicks | Monday, April 21 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV
- Game 3: Knicks at Pistons | Thursday, April 24 | 7 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV
- Game 4: Knicks at Pistons | Sunday, April 27 | 1 p.m. | ABC, Fubo
- Game 5: Pistons at Knicks | Tuesday, April 29, TBD | TBD*
- Game 6: Knicks at Pistons | Thursday, May 1, TBD | TBD*
- Game 7: Pistons at Knicks | Saturday, May 3, TBD | TBD*
*if necessary
Watch Knicks vs. Pistons Game 1 with Fubo