After a stunning Game 4, the Knicks will try to eliminate the Pistons from the playoffs once again. So far, Detroit has proven difficult to beat, winning Game 2 and being a jump shot away from winning Game 4. At first glance, this matchup may seem simply like a battle between Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson, but Game 4 showed that there are other shooters on both teams that are worth looking for in terms of DFS.
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks Start Em’
Cade Cunningham (DraftKings Price 9.8K, FanDuel Price 10.3K)
Cunningham is easily the most consistent player on the Pistons. Even at the end of Game 4, although he was missing some shots, Cunningham was still creating separation with a quick first step and a nice step back. The only disappointing thing about his performance recently is that he was 0-3 from three-point range. If he can be more accurate from deep, he’ll get more than 25 points easily.
Karl Anthony-Towns (Draft Kings Price 8.6K, FanDuel Price 9K)
Anthony-Towns was arguably the hero of Game 4, sinking a very clutch three-pointer down the stretch. He finished the game with 27 points and 5-7 from three-point land. Those are some of the most reassuring numbers any Karl Anthony-Towns fan could see. This should translate into more passes from Jalen Brunson, who shouldn’t feel like he needs to do everything anymore in Game 5.
OG Anunoby (Draft Kings Price 6.3K, FanDuel Price 6.6K)
Anunoby’s Game 4 was disappointing compared to the rest of the series. Anunoby only walked away with eight points, where he had scored 23, 10, and 22 respectively in the previous games. One way to look at this is that he should bounce back after his poor performance. More analytically, though, Karl Anthony-Towns might attract more of the defense after his strong Game 4. Therefore, Anunoby should find himself more open, or if not, in better positions to score.
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks Sit Em’
Tim Hardaway Jr. (DraftKings Price 4.1K, FanDuel Price 4.2K)
Hardaway Jr. deserves all the praise in the world for his actions in Game 4. He hit two big threes and one jumper to keep Detroit in the game. In terms of DFS, though, Hardaway Jr. hit those threes after going 2-11 from three-point range. He only had 14 points in the entire game, eight of which came in those last four minutes. This makes him risky to start because he could be an inconsistent shooter at times. He is proof that a player can be great for his team but not necessarily a good fit for DFS.
Mikal Bridges (DraftKings Price 5.9K, FanDuel Price 6K)
Bridges has been incredibly streaky in this series. He scored 20 in Game 3, only to drop eight in Game 4. This makes it difficult to predict how he will play in Game 5. Fortunately, there are other players on the Knicks who are more of a sure thing than Bridges, who can certainly knock down shots if he is open. If this game is going to be close, though, Brunson may not even pass the ball for Bridges to get his shots.
Josh Hart (DraftKings Price 7.1K, FanDuel Price 7.4K)
Although he is one of the better players on his team, Josh Hart rarely takes over a game. He more often plays a supporting role, knocking down shots when he needs to. He hasn’t scored more than 14 in this playoff series, though. This doesn’t make him a great pick for DFS, but it does make him valuable for his team. Like with Tim Hardaway Jr., Hart can perform well, just not to the point where he can win for DFS.
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks Lock
Jalen Brunson (DraftKings Price 8.8K, FanDuel Price 9.2K)
Brunson has not scored less than 30 throughout this entire series. That is a feat not even Giannis can claim. Brunson was certainly happy in Game 4 when Karl Anthony-Towns was helping down the stretch, but just becuase he has another player he can count on doesn’t mean he won’t call isolation and take the ball to the rim. Brunson is an unguardable player and should be started by any DFS player that can afford him.
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks Fade
Miles McBride Draft Kings Price 3.3K, FanDuel Price 3.6K)
Since these games have been close, the starters for New York have played many more minutes than they usually do. That leaves the bench players with only small opportunities to contribute. That being said, McBride played 19 minutes in Game 4 and still only scored five points. There are plenty of other guards with more upside than McBride to start for DFS.
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