The Detroit Pistons will play their biggest home game since 2008 when they host the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. Detroit has not won a home playoff game or a postseason series in 17 years.

New York leads the series 3-2, but the Pistons were able to force the sixth game and will now aim to win their first game on their floor in the series. The Knicks won Games 3 and 4 on the road. The home team has won only one game of five so far.

As noted by Field Level Media, only 13 NBA teams have come back from a 3-1 playoff deficit in league history. Detroit will set a new league record if it loses a 10th consecutive home game in the postseason in Game 6 vs. New York.

Pistons vs. Knicks Game 6 predictions and best bets

Note: Odds are based on the best value our experts find as of publication; check lines closer to game time to ensure you get the best odds.

This is a terrific turnaround season for the Pistons, as they have far overcome expectations by hanging closely with a 51-win New York team in the first five games of the first round. But Detroit hasn’t been able to successfully defend its home court in this series, although many fans believed it should have won Game 4.

As the thin spread indicates, this should be another hotly contested game. Detroit is surviving through grit, physical play, and timely contributions from complementary scorers to Cade Cunningham.

But ultimately, it will be very difficult for the Pistons to push to a Game 7 if Karl-Anthony Towns delivers another strong road performance on Thursday. He has played his best games in the series at Detroit, totaling 58 points in two games.

Towns was held to 17 points in Game 5 and will be ready to bounce back as he did in Game 3 on the road after a quiet Game 2. He is at -130 to go Over 23.5 points.

Admirably, various other players besides Cunningham have stepped up to come through with quality performances throughout the series. But Detroit cannot quite match the Knicks’ firepower if both Towns and Jalen Brunson are clicking, and New York is also getting quality contributions from OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.

I expect Hardaway to be a key contributor for the Pistons this time. He has played better at home in the series. In the last two games at New York, he totaled just eight points. In the two games on the home floor, he averaged 19.0 points per game.

In those outings, he logged seven and four three-pointers made. You should also strongly consider taking Hardaway to go Over 2.5 threes made at -114 on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Points are being earned in this series, and not easily. Three of the four previous games fell short of tonight’s projected total. These teams appear to be evenly matched. New York is more potent on offense, but the Pistons’ style of play is also setting a tone.

If you believe that Detroit can squeeze out the win on Thursday and then win at MSG in a Game 7 on Saturday, then wager on that outcome for a good payout. The Pistons are at +380 on DraftKings Sportsbook to win this series.

Pistons vs. Knicks Game 6 moneyline odds analysisWhy Detroit could win as the favorite

Best Odds: -120 at bet365

The Pistons have been timely and productive swatters on defense. In the past two games, Detroit totaled 19 blocked shots. The team’s physical approach also resulted in them outscoring the Knicks in Points in the Paint 100-80 over the past two games.

Jalen Duren is up to 10 blocks in the series, while Cunningham and Tobias Harris are at seven each. Duren is averaging 10.6 points and 9.9 rebounds in eight combined games vs. the Knicks this season. He is shooting 81.8% from the field at home vs. New York.

Cunningham is averaging 27.8 points, 8.6 assists, and 7.0 rebounds in nine combined games against the Knicks this season. He has scored 20-plus points in all games and 30-plus points three times. The Detroit star is averaging 26.8 points, 8.8 assists, and 6.3 rebounds at home vs. New York.

Harris is shooting 45.0% from three-point range in this series. Hardaway’s 14 three-pointers made are the most in five games in franchise postseason history. Malik Beasley finished with 20-plus points three times so far in the series.

Why New York could win as the underdog

Game 2 Best Odds: +102 at DraftKings Sportsbook

Brunson has scored over 30 points in seven of nine total matchups against the Pistons this season. He is averaging 29.1 points and 8.1 assists in those games. The New York standout is averaging 28.3 points on 45.2% three-point shooting in road games at Detroit this season.

Towns is averaging 22.5 points and 9.8 rebounds with 1.1 blocks on 47.5% three-point shooting vs. the Pistons this season. He registered 20-point double-doubles the first four meetings. “KAT” is shooting 57.9% (11-19) from deep over the past three games for 25.0 points, with 9.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.

Anunoby has been on Cunningham more than any other defender this series, and held him to 36.7% shooting. Anunoby is up to 12 steals in the series. He led New York with 19 points in Game 5.