The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks clashed in a fiercely competitive Game 3 that saw tempers flare and controversial calls spark debate. In a nail-biting finish, the Knicks edged out a 118-116 victory to take a 2-1 series lead, but not without controversy. Pistons fans and coach J.B. Bickerstaff were left bewildered by a pivotal call on a play involving Knicks star Jalen Brunson straddling the frontcourt and backcourt. The drama didn't end there as a bizarre sequence following a intentional missed free throw gave Detroit a slim chance to steal the win, much to the chagrin of the Knicks.
The physicality and intensity of the game spilled over to the closing moments, overshadowing a strong showing from both teams. The Knicks, led by Karl-Anthony Towns' 31 points, displayed a balanced offensive effort with four starters scoring over 20 points. On the other side, the Pistons, fueled by Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cade Cunningham's 24 points each, fought valiantly to make a comeback after falling behind in the second quarter. As the series heads into Game 4, tensions are high between the teams and their passionate fan bases, setting the stage for what promises to be another thrilling showdown in Detroit.