Sports

Detroit Pistons Make Sad History As NBA Admits To Stealing Playoff Win Against Knicks

#NBA
by
Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff on the sidelines.

© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images


The New York Knicks took a 3-1 series win over the Detroit Pistons with a 94-93 win on the road Sunday. They’re now one win away from advancing to the next round of the NBA Playoffs.

Game 4 was yet another nail biter in what’s been a highly contested postseason set. The Knicks prevailed with the help of a missed foul call on a game-winning attempt.

The two teams split the first two matchups in New York before travelling to Detroit. The Knicks have now won back-to-back contests by a combined three points.

New York came out victorious in Game 3, 118-116. Detroit attempted to even the series at 2-2 before heading back to the Big Apple. It wouldn’t happen.

The Pistons led by 11 points with about eight minutes left in regulation. The offense went cold from there out.

The home team was outscored 26-14 the rest of the way. They were held scoreless across the final 1:52 of action. New York took a one-point lead with 47 seconds left to play. They’d hold on after a hectic final possession.

The Pistons made sad history after being robbed of a game-winning opportunity.

Detroit had a chance to take the lead on the final shot of the game. Tim Hardaway Jr. heaved a three-pointer after a pump fake got his defender in the air. Contact was made. No whistle was blown. The Knicks corralled the rebound to end the game.

A foul would’ve given Hardaway three shots from the free throw line with minimal time left on the clock. It’s reasonable to believe the 86% free throw shooter would’ve connected on at least two attempts to give his team a lead.

The loss helped the Pistons make sad NBA Playoff history. It represented their ninth consecutive postseason loss at home, tying the all-time record set by Philadelphia between 1968-71. Detroit hasn’t won a home playoff game since 2008.

The NBA added insult to injury after the fact. Crew chief David Guthrie admitted the call was missed.

Unfortunately, it won’t change the outcome for the Pistons. They now find themselves one game away from elimination as the series returns to New York.

OSZAR »