NBA Game Picks & Analysis
New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
Pistons vs. Knicks – Game 6 Preview
Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET • Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
Our Pick: Pistons –1.5
With the Knicks leading the series 3-2, the Detroit Pistons return home looking to extend their postseason lives in Game 6 on Thursday night. New York is coming off a tough 106-103 defeat, where Jalen Brunson struggled mightily, shooting just 4-of-16 from the field. Despite a balanced scoring effort from players like OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks could not execute down the stretch, allowing Detroit to break open a tie game late.
Meanwhile, the Pistons displayed resilience in Game 5. Cade Cunningham flirted with a near triple-double as his 24 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists led the way. Ausar Thompson emerged as a key contributor, tallying 22 points with highlight-reel blocks. Even though the Pistons shot only 42 percent from the field and just 8-of-29 from deep, their defense made all the difference when it mattered most.
Throughout this series, the Pistons have battled inconsistency, but they continue to find ways to stay within striking distance. New York has had trouble protecting late leads, and Brunson’s occasional shooting woes can be costly. Though the Knicks typically thrive on the road, Detroit’s home crowd will be desperate to reverse a dreaded nine-game playoff losing streak in their building.
Why The Pistons Will Cover -1.5
Given the Pistons’ recent surge in confidence, and their ability to lock down defensively when it counts, covering the -1.5 spread seems within reach. With another solid performance from Cunningham, Detroit has a strong chance to force a decisive Game 7 and reward those backing them on Thursday.
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
- Nuggets vs. Clippers – Game 6 Preview
Thursday, 10 p.m. ET • Intuit Dome, Inglewood
Our Pick: Nuggets +6
The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers are set for Game 6 of their 2025 NBA playoff series at the Intuit Dome on Thursday night. With the Nuggets leading the series 3-2, this is a pivotal matchup for both teams as the Clippers aim to force a Game 7.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Nuggets are looking to advance to the second round for the third consecutive season. Denver has shown resilience, winning six of its last eight games. Led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, who averages 25.4 points and 12.8 rebounds, and Jamal Murray, who contributes 24.6 points and 4.8 rebounds, the Nuggets are poised for a strong performance. While their defense allows 109.2 points per game, their ability to score, especially from beyond the arc (38.8%), has kept them competitive. Despite challenges on the road, the Nuggets have a solid track record of winning as underdogs against Pacific Division teams.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
The Clippers are fighting to stay alive in the series, having won 17 of their last 22 games. Kawhi Leonard leads the charge with 25.2 points and 7.6 rebounds, while Ivica Zubac dominates the boards with 10.2 rebounds per game. Despite their offensive firepower, the Clippers have struggled with consistency, particularly in closing out games, and have yet to cover the spread in six of their last seven home playoff games against Northwest Division teams.
Why The Nuggets Will Cover The +6 Spread
Denver’s ability to perform under pressure, especially as underdogs in the playoffs, gives them an edge. The Clippers have shown a tendency to falter in crucial moments, and with James Harden’s performance continuing to decline, the Nuggets will exploit this weakness. Denver has covered the spread in eight of their last nine Western Conference First Round games, while the Clippers have struggled to do so at home against teams from the Northwest Division. Denver’s resilience and ability to stay competitive on the road make the +6 spread too generous for the Clippers. Expect the Nuggets to cover as they continue to capitalize on the Clippers’ inconsistency.
