The 2025 NBA Playoffs are kicking off with a bang, as the New York Knicks take on the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 on April 20. This isn’t just a regular first-round matchup this is history in the making. The Pistons are finally back in the postseason after a long drought, while the Knicks are looking to capitalize on their strong season finish, despite injury woes.
In this article, we’ll break down the betting edge, key player insights, odds analysis, and give you our Knicks vs Pistons predictions. We'll also dive into the Best NBA player props today, Over/under predictions, value Underdog picks NBA, and reveal a risk-free NBA parlay strategy all tailored for the trusted basketball betting site OKBet users.
The Knicks have historically dominated this matchup winning 16 of the last 17 games against the Pistons. With that trend, you might assume New York is the easy pick. But there’s more to the story.
It’s official: Knicks vs. Pistons in the first round. 🍿
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 12, 2025
Who you got? pic.twitter.com/Fa52ASng7j
However, the Knicks are hurting OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson are all listed as injured. That limits their defense and second-unit depth.
The total line is expected around 218.5 to 221.5, based on historical data and team pace. With New York’s defense compromised and Detroit’s hunger to prove themselves, the Over seems like a solid play.
The Pistons will push the pace, and the Knicks still have enough offensive firepower with Towns and Brunson to go toe-to-toe.
Despite injuries, home-court advantage and playoff experience should help them edge out a tight win.
Knicks 114 – Pistons 108
Player props bring life to your bets and with OKBet, you can expect boosted odds on playoff matchups.
| Player | Prop Market | Pick |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Points Over 23.5 | Over |
| Jalen Brunson | Assists Over 6.5 | Over |
| Cade Cunningham | Threes Made Over 2.5 | Under |
Detroit may lose, but expect a gritty effort from this young squad. If you're into underdog value, take the Pistons +6.5 spread.
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Risk-Free Parlay Suggestion:
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| Bet Type | Knicks Odds | Pistons Odds |
| Moneyline (ML) | -180 | +155 |
| Point Spread | -5.5 | +5.5 |
| Total Points O/U | 219.5 | 219.5 |
Knicks ML (-180) is safe, but not juicy. Use it in a parlay. For solo bets, consider the Pistons +5.5 for better value.
Expert Confidence Score: 8.1/10 in favor of the Knicks winning Game 1.
Impact Analysis: Knicks’ bench depth is shaky. Pistons have better rotation flexibility, especially if Ivey plays at near full strength.
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The official game time is TBD but will likely air on ESPN and OKBet’s live platform.
The Knicks are favorites, but the Pistons offer great value as a +5.5 underdog.
Yes, but he's expected to be on a minutes limit.
A Knicks ML + Over 218.5 + Towns Over 23.5 parlay offers safety and upside.
It reduces defensive depth, which could lead to higher scoring from Detroit.
They can if Cade goes off and the Knicks struggle to defend the perimeter but it’s a long shot.
