The Mecca of Basketball, through the years, has witnessed some of the best athletes to have ever graced the hardwood, and this year is no different. The Big Apple has been rocking once again as the NBA Playoffs have taken center stage. The latest foe – a hungry Detroit Pistons team looking to win its first playoff game since 2008. Games 1 and 2 at the Garden were starkly different. The Knicks came out with a purpose in Game 1, finishing strong with a 21-0 run down the stretch, resulting in a 123-112 win. Game 2 saw a resurgent Pistons team taking the fight to their much-fancied opponent. They had a 13-point lead with 7 minutes remaining in the game, only to see this vanish. The home team stormed back with some clutch plays in the 4th quarter to tie it at 94 apiece with a minute remaining. Dennis Schroder would untie it with a bomb from long range. It was as if he had ice water in his veins. Eventually, the Pistons would stave off the Knicks and end up with an impressive 100-94 victory, leveling the series 1-1.

With the action now shifting to Motown, no one knows what to expect in Game 3. The first 2 games in New York had more of a boxing feel to them rather than the sport invented by Dr James Naismith way back in 1891. It seemed like two heavyweights were going back and forth, trying to assert their supremacy, with both of them managing to win a round each.

Heading to Little Caesars Arena for Game 3, the Knicks do not have any injury concerns. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns would once again be expected to carry their team’s offensive load. Both are certain to start Game 3 as they have done all season. The Pistons, on the other hand, have some major injuries to contend with.

Their big man, Isaiah Stewart, has been plagued by a knee injury that kept him out of Game 2. He has been listed as day-to-day by the Detroit training staff. This means JB Bickerstaff would be without his most potent weapon on the defensive end for two games running. Jaden Ivey is still recovering from a broken left fibula. The Pistons Guard picked up this injury on January 1st against the Orlando Magic and has been out of action ever since.

Jalen Brunson has been phenomenal in Games 1 and 2. The Knicks’ “Floor General” is averaging 35.5 PPG and 7.5 APG so far in the series. He has carried his regular-season form into the playoffs. The Pistons would be looking to stop him by putting more bodies on him come Game 3.  Moving forward, it is to be seen how these Eastern Conference rivals have assembled themselves to go up against each other.

How the Knicks and Pistons will line up in Game 3

The Knicks’ starting 5 have been healthy for most of the 2024-25 Regular Season. Mikal Bridges played in all 82 games. The scenario has not changed much in the postseason. Tom Thibodeau is sure to start Game 3 with his usual lineup.

The coaching staff of the Detroit Pistons is most likely to retain their starting lineup, which served them so well in Game 2. This is their potential starting 5.

Motown would be buzzing on Thursday night, and the Detroit faithful would act as the sixth man for the Pistons. Little Caesars Arena is sure to feel more like the Colosseum from Roman times for the Knicks. It is certain to be a hostile atmosphere. Whether the Pistons take advantage of this to go 2-1 up in the series is to be seen.