*These NBA tips and player prop picks are done the previous game day. Adjust selections should spreads and lineups change.
NEW YORK KNICKS @ DETROIT PISTONS
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
East 1st Round – Game 6 (New York leads 3-2)
Team Trends:
- The Pistons have lost their last 9 playoff home games
- 4 of the Pistons’ last 5 playoff home games have gone over
- The Knicks have won the 1st quarter in their last 10 road games vs. Detroit
- The Pistons have failed to cover in their last 4 games following a win
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| NY | 51 | 31 | 27-14 | 24-17 |
| DET | 44 | 38 | 22-19 | 22-19 |
SEASON POINTS AVERAGE
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOTAL |
| NY | 115.8 | 111.7 | +4.1 | 227.5 |
| DET | 115.5 | 113.6 | +1.9 | 229.1 |
Here is the full updated season series table:
SEASON SERIES
| DATE | RESULT |
| Nov 2, 2024 | NYK 128 @ DET 98 |
| Dec 8, 2024 | DET 120 @ NYK 111 |
| Jan 14, 2025 | DET 124 @ NYK 119 |
| Apr 11, 2025 | NYK 106 @ DET 115 |
| GAME 1 | DET 112 @ NYK 123 |
| GAME 2 | DET 100 @ NYK 94 |
| GAME 3 | NYK 118 @ DET 116 |
| GAME 4 | NYK 94 @ DET 93 |
| GAME 5 | DET 106 @ NYK 103 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| NY | OVER | |
| +1.5 | 213.5 |
Facing elimination once again, the Pistons will host the Knicks in Game 6 of their Eastern First Round series at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit kept their season alive with a gritty 106-103 win at Madison Square Garden in Game 5, cutting the series deficit to 3-2.
A major factor in the Pistons’ win was their aggressiveness at the line, converting 26-of-36 free throws (72.2%) compared to the Knicks’ 16-of-27 (59.3%). Cade Cunningham led the way with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Jalen Brunson struggled for New York, shooting just 4-of-16 from the field.
Despite the win, the Pistons are still searching for their first home playoff victory since 2008, having lost both games at Little Caesars Arena earlier in the series. They’ll need to reverse that trend to force a decisive Game 7.
PICK – NEW YORK +1.5
DENVER NUGGETS @ LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
West 1st Round – Game 6 (Denver leads 3-2)
Team Trends:
- The underdogs have covered in 7 of the last 8 playoff games between the Nuggets and Clippers
- The Clippers have won 14 of their last 16 home games
- 6 of the last 7 playoff games between these teams have gone under
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| DEN | 50 | 32 | 26-15 | 24-17 |
| LAC | 50 | 32 | 30-11 | 20-21 |
SEASON POINTS AVERAGE
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOTAL |
| DEN | 120.8 | 116.9 | +3.9 | 237.7 |
| LAC | 112.9 | 108.2 | +4.7 | 221.1 |
SEASON SERIES
| DATE | RESULT |
| Oct 27, 2024 | DEN 104 @ LAC 109 |
| Dec 2, 2024 | LAC 126 @ DEN 122 |
| Dec 14, 2024 | DEN 120 @ LAC 98 |
| Jan 9, 2025 | DEN 126 @ LAC 103 |
| GAME 1 | LAC 110 @ DEN 112 (OT) |
| GAME 2 | LAC 105 @ DEN 102 |
| GAME 3 | DEN 83 @ LAC 117 |
| GAME 4 | DEN 101 @ LAC 99 |
| GAME 5 | LAC 115 @ DEN 131 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| DEN | UNDER | |
| +6.5 | 212.5 |
Staring down elimination, the Clippers will return home to Intuit Dome for Game 6 of their Western First Round series against the Nuggets on Thursday night. Denver took a 3-2 series lead with a 131-115 win in Game 5, powered by an awesome performance from beyond the arc.
The Nuggets shot a red-hot 51.5% from deep (17-of-33), outpacing the Clippers’ 37.9% (11-of-29) and creating the key separation. Jamal Murray led the charge with a season-high 43 points, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 8 threes on 17-of-26 shooting. Kawhi Leonard delivered a strong all-around performance for the Clippers, finishing with 20 points, 9 rebounds, and a career-high 11 assists.
Denver has now won 15 of their last 16 games when Murray shoots 60% or better from the field. The Clippers will need to regroup at home to force a Game 7 and extend their postseason run.
PICK – DENVER +6.5
