Knicks vs. Pistons Game 4 Odds & Predictions: Can New York Seize Control?
Game 4 hits the floor Sunday afternoon, and the pressure is mounting! New York got an important win on the road to get back control of the series, but Detroit is not gonna back down without a fight. It’s all happening at the Little Caesars Arena (yes, the little “pizza pizza” dude has a whole arena named after him).
- When: Sunday, April 27, at 1:00 pm ET
- Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
- Broadcast: ABC
Series Snapshot: Knicks Lead 2-1
The Knicks got punched right in the face in Game 2, but they came back swinging in Game 3. Here’s where the series stands right now:
- Game 1: Knicks 123, Pistons 112
- Game 2: Pistons 100, Knicks 94
- Game 3: Knicks 118, Pistons 116
New York’s win in Detroit wasn’t an easy one. It took big plays from Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson, and some main stops when it mattered. Now? The Knicks are two wins away from advancing, and they’ll either put the Pistons on the ropes or let their lead slip.
Key Storylines
There is some stuff that’s bubbling beneath the surface going into Game 4, but the following are what sports analysts and fans are talking about!
1. Towns & Brunson: Leading the Charge
Karl-Anthony Towns snapped back into form when the Knicks needed it the most—he dropped 31 points and stretched Detroit’s defense all night. Brunson kept steering the offense under pressure, posting another 30-point night and wrapping it up late.
If these two players continue to set the tone, it’s going to be super hard for Detroit to keep up, let alone pull out a win.
2. Pistons Getting Physical
Detroit isn’t trying to finesse its way through this series. They’re hammering the boards, playing through contact, and daring New York to match their physicality.
Tobias Harris calling New York “soft” after Game 2 caused quite a stir, and you can see it in the way Detroit is attacking the glass and absolutely bodying cutters. Jalen Duren sticking on Josh Hart has jammed up the Knicks’ spacing, which has forced Thibodeau into making real decisions on rotations.
3. Injury Report
As of now, the Pistons are missing a few important bodies—the Knicks are not. Here’s who is out for Game 4:
| Team | Details |
|---|---|
Pistons | Isaiah Stewart (knee) and Jaden Ivey (fibula) remain out, which puts more of a load on Cade Cunningham and the starters, as it deletes Detroit’s rotation. |
Knicks | No injuries have been reported. They’re heading into Game 4 healthy and fully armed. |
Current Betting Odds, Line Movement & Insights
Here are the odds for the game via BetMGM:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Knicks | +1.5 (-105) | +110 | Over 217.5 (-105) |
Pistons | -1.5 (-115) | -135 | Under 217.5 (-115) |
Oddsmakers are giving the Pistons the nod at home, but the gap looks and feels razor-thin based on how the last two games shook out—it’s smaller than the line suggests.
Friday’s Betting Odds
- Spread: Pistons -1.5
- Over/Under: 216.5
- Moneyline: Pistons -125; Knicks +105
Betting Trends
Based on the way both teams have been scoring, there’s a strong case to be made for the over if Game 4 stays as open as the first three!
- New York and Detroit are combining for over 230 points per game in this series, which is higher than the current total.
- Detroit covered 59 games against the spread during the regular season, which is a top-5 rate league-wide.
This series hasn’t produced many defensive showdowns thus far, and unless one side suddenly clamps down? The scoring should stay pretty active.
Prop Bets to Watch
If you’re looking for a little side action instead of the usual bets, the following are a few player props that are worth circling!
- Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)- Over 32.5 Points + Rebounds: Towns has carved up Detroit’s interior defense when he’s given the space to do it. His ability to stretch the floor and crash the boards makes this total absolutely reachable.
- Cade Cunningham (Pistons) – Over 43.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists: Cade has worn a lot of hats for Detroit: scorer, distributor, and late-clock creator. Expect another heavy-usage game, especially if New York clamps down on Detroit’s secondary shooters.
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks) – Over 2.5 Three-Pointers Made: Brunson’s excellent efficiency behind the arc has been rock solid, and if Detroit’s defense continues to sag into the paint, he should get some super clean perimeter looks.
Our Best Bets
Here’s where we’re leaning heading into Game 4 based on the matchups and how the first three games have played out:
1. Jalen Brunson Over 29.5 Points
Detroit’s scrambling defense hasn’t had a consistent answer for Brunson’s in-between game. His ability to make space even in tight areas keeps showing up, and New York will keep putting the ball in his hands late.
2. OG Anunoby Over 16.5 Points
Anunoby is doing exactly what playoff wings need to do, and it’s been a major problem for Detroit’s wings. He’s knocking down threes, attacking mismatches, and finding gaps when the Pistons double Brunson or Towns. He’s hit this number in 7 of his last 8 games.
3. Over 216.5 Total Points
The first three games have been fast, physical, and really heavy on shot attempts, and defense has been optional at stretches in this series. Given the way both teams have found offense, particularly late in games, the over still feels like the right side until proven otherwise.
Place a bet at one of the top sports betting sites!
Matchup X-Factors
The game’s outcome won’t hinge solely on the star players’ performances. Who could be the difference-makers? Look below to see what we think!
Knicks’ Lineup Moves: Tom Thibodeau could go smaller earlier to counter Detroit’s muscle inside. Shifting Josh Hart and OG Anunoby around defensively could open up better transition chances.
Pistons’ Outside Shooting: Detroit needs timely shooting from Alec Burks, Harris, or Killian Hayes. If the Pistons can’t stretch the Knicks’ defense, the paint will stay crowded and possessions will disappear fast.
Final Thoughts & Prediction
Projected Score: Knicks 112, Pistons 108
New York put Detroit in a spot where Game 4 feels like it’s a must-win. Lose again at home? The Pistons would need to win three straight, and two of them would be at Madison Square Garden.
A Knicks win puts them one step from closing out at home, and a Pistons win throws this thing into a full sprint toward a six- or seven-game grind.
New York’s composure late in Game 3 and Detroit’s missing depth give the Knicks a small but real advantage on Sunday. If Brunson keeps winning his matchups and Towns stays aggressive, New York should find a way to win another one.
