Two days after the Knicks used a stunning fourth-quarter comeback and 21-0 run to strike first in their series against the Pistons, they couldn’t replicate the same magic.
The Knicks mounted a similar comeback after trailing by as many as 13 points in the final frame, and Mikal Bridges had a chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining, but they fell, 100-94, to Detroit in Game 2 at the Garden on Monday.
Dennis Schröder hit a clutch 3-pointer to give Detroit the late lead.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 33 points, while the Knicks couldn’t match Detroit’s physicality as Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby both struggled offensively.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 37 points.
The first-round series now shifts back to Detroit for a pair of games, starting with Game 3 on Thursday.