New York Knicks made crucial mistake vs Detroit Pistons that could haunt them, ‘Josh Hart would not...’

The New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons matched up in a preview of a looming Playoff match-up.

The top six of the Eastern Conference has taken shape, with the third seed New York Knicks set to take on the sixth placed Detroit Pistons in the Playoffs.

The two teams faced off in Detroit on April 10, and it was the vastly improving Pistons who came out on top.

The Knicks were without OG Anunoby , Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart , and this made a real difference, with the Pistons winning 115-106, running away with a 30-21 fourth quarter.

Reaction to Pistons win over Knicks The New York Knicks came out strong, with Precious Achiuwa landing a dunk on Isaiah Stewart.

But the Knicks were unable to keep it up, and the Detroit Pistons landed a major confidence booster ahead of the playoffs.

PRECIOUS ACHIUWA POSTER ON ISAIAH STEWART! *whispers* this will surely end well pic.twitter.com/tKMu3g0YI3 Speaking on MSG Network, former Knicks star Wally Szczerbiak believes the Pistons were too physical for the Knicks.

Pointing to the team scoring only seven points over the final six minutes, he noted: They looked discombobulated.

They looked confused.

I dont think the physicality would have taken the toll on the Knicks if the Knicks had those three guys in the lineup.

Those are the three most physical players [Hart, Robinson, Anunoby] on the Knicks, as far as their strength and their physicality.

And Josh Hart would not have let that go out there.

Szczerbiak pointed to the way the Knicks played being in deep contrast to Detroits approach, and he fears it could backfire, with the Pistons gaining confidence.

There are a couple guys on the Knicks that look like theyre kind of like, can we just get to the playoffs? And the Pistons did not play that way.

The pistons are a young team.

Theyre a hungry team.

Theyre gaining confidence.

And the Knicks gave this Pistons team even more confidence if they happen to see them, which they look like they are going to.

This mistake could end up haunting the Knicks, who will have to play a more physical style if the two teams meet in the post-season.

The Pistons got the Knicks attention.

They bullied them around, thats exactly what they did.

Pistons record vs Knicks The Detroit Pistons hold a 3-1 record vs the New York Knicks this season, and wont fear their potential Playoff opponents, now winning three straight.

One positive for the Knicks was that Jalen Brunson had more minutes since his return , 29 in total, although scored a modest 15 points.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission..

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