The New York Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the Detroit Pistons would have done much better in that matchup than the Cavs. Ultimately, New York likely still would have won the series, but Detroit definitely would have put up a better fight. They’re used to playing from behind in the playoffs, and they don’t have the added issue of having James Harden on their team.
The Pistons Would Have Done Much Better Against the Knicks
Detroit learned the hard way that finishing first in a conference guarantees absolutely nothing in the playoffs. Cade Cunningham‘s squad owned the regular season, but the postseason proved much more challenging for such a young and inexperienced team.
This was especially evident with players like Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and Daniss Jenkins. All three of them are superstars in the making, without question. At the same time, they have exceptionally limited playoff experience, and the bright lights of the postseason definitely got in their eyes a little bit. Duren is a prime example of this, as he had an exceedingly tough time finding his footing in the playoffs.
Even Cunningham, a two-time All-Star, had his own postseason issues. The upside is that the Pistons’ run into the second round of the playoffs is invaluable experience that will only make this team better in the 2027 postseason. NBA teams can only learn to manage the pressure of the playoffs by being in the playoffs, and Detroit will be a much better team because of this.
Cleveland Completely Fell Apart Against New York
After narrowly sneaking past the Pistons in seven games in the second round, the Cavs took on the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. It was a bad scene across the board for Cleveland. They lost four straight games, including the finale by nearly 40 points. No team wants a promising season to end in such a brutal fashion, but that’s what happened.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with the usual suspects close behind. Landry Shamet also showed up in a big way, lighting up the Cavaliers with some incredible 3-point shooting. If it wasn’t for Malcolm Brogdon‘s sudden retirement, Shamet likely wouldn’t have made the team.
It was apparent in Game 4 that the Cavaliers had all but given up. Donovan Mitchell was still fighting hard, but the rest of his teammates’ hearts just weren’t in it. It also didn’t help that Mitchell had to deal with Harden on his team. The 11-time All-Star is notorious for collapsing in the playoffs, and this year was no exception. It’s unfair to expect Mitchell to climb the mountain while having to carry Harden on his back.
Pistons Would Have Shown More Fight
If Detroit had made it past Cleveland, they would have given New York a better fight. Before the end of the series between the Cavaliers and Pistons, Knicks fans were calling out the Pistons. Why? Because they wanted all the smoke and knew which team would bring it.
While the Cavs fell in four, the Pistons would have made a series of it. Detroit swept their regular-season series against the Knicks. But that doesn’t guarantee success in the playoffs, especially against a New York team that just keeps playing better and better as the postseason rolls along. The Pistons also wouldn’t have been completely swept, either.
At the very least, Detroit would have gotten the gentleman’s sweep by winning Game 4. And they also wouldn’t have collectively tapped out as a team before that game even started, as they don’t have that kind of quit in them. Honestly, the Cavs might have bigger questions to deal with this offseason than the Pistons do.
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