The Detroit Pistons are still alive. Thanks in part to another strong performance from Dennis Schröder, the Pistons defeated the New York Knicks 106-103 and now have another chance to force a decisive game in the Big Apple.
Schröder scored 14 points (6/13 FG) and three assists in 22 minutes, but came off the bench as usual. The DBB captain converted one of his two free throws (104-100) with 16 seconds remaining before O.G. Anunoby made it exciting again with a quick three-pointer.
Cade Cunningham hit two free throws in response and the Pistons then opted to foul. Knicks guard Miles McBride missed both attempts (the second intentionally), but the long rebound landed in Schröder’s hands and the Pistons won for the second time in this series at Madison Square Garden. Cunningham was the top scorer with 24 points (6/17), eight rebounds and eight assists, while Ausar Thompson (22, 8/10) and Tobias Harris (17, 4 blocks) also made important contributions.
Anunoby (19) was the top scorer for the Knicks, while Jalen Brunson (16, 4/16, 7 assists) struggled and had to leave the game with an injury in crunch time. The same was true for Josh Hart, and the Pistons took advantage of those two minutes to score four straight points through Cunningham and Jalen Duren (9, 14 rebounds).
Cunningham turns it on in the fourth quarter
Cunningham scored 13 of his 24 points in the final quarter, while Mikal Bridges scored 13 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter for the Knicks. However, the Pistons were ahead for most of the game, holding their biggest lead of +10 in the third quarter. Schröder had his best spell in the second quarter with some successful attacks, and the Braunschweig native once again played physical defense against Brunson, who had his weakest game of the series.
The Knicks still lead 3-2 and now have to return to Detroit, where they have won both games so far by narrow margins. Game 6 will take place in Motor City at 1:30 a.m. on Friday morning. While Detroit and New York are still playing, the other three series in the Eastern Conference are already over. The winner of this series will face the Boston Celtics, who prevailed 4-1 against the Orlando Magic. In the other Conference Semifinals, the Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Indiana Pacers.
