By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Detroit Free Press/Yahoo Sports
The New York Knicks erupted on a 21-0 run in the fourth quarter to take Game 1 in a 123-112 win over the Detroit Pistons in the First Round of the Eastern Conference.
The Pistons were up 91-83 entering the fourth quarter. Cameron Payne scored 11 fourth-quarter points for the Knicks, who outscored the Pistons 40 to 21 in the quarter. Payne finished the game with 14 points in 15 minutes off the bench.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 34 points, shooting 12 of 27 from the field, including 8 of 10 from the free throw line. Karl Anthony Towns added a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds. OG Anunoby added 23 points and seven rebounds.
Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 25 points. Cade Cunningham added 21 points and 12 assists. Tim Hardaway Jr had 19 points. Malik Beasley scored 20 points.
The Knicks dominated the last 12 minutes of the game. The atmosphere in the garden was electric, and the crowd helped the team rally. The Pistons imploded in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks showed they were the more experienced team in that quarter.
The Pistons had 21 turnovers in this game, 8 of which came in the fourth quarter.
Brunson, who struggled early in the game and reinjured his right ankle in the third quarter, came alive in the fourth and showed his toughness. Brunson and Payne took over the fourth quarter. There’s a reason why Brunson is the captain.
The Knicks scored 25 points off turnovers and dominated points in the paint 62 to 46. The Knicks’ defense did a good job defending Cunningham.
Game Two will be on Monday night. Tip-off is at 7:30. The Pistons will be ready to go, and the Knicks can’t take this team too lightly. Will the Pistons get the split, or will the Knicks head back to Motor City up 2-0?
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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