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Pistons’ Harris Remains Confident Despite Game 1 Loss to Knicks in NBA Playoffs
Despite a disheartening 123-112 defeat against the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris expressed unwavering confidence in his team. Following the final buzzer Saturday night, Long Island native Harris offered words of encouragement to his teammates along the bench.
Harris: “It’s a Series”
“It’s a series,” Harris reminded his team, emphasizing the long haul of the playoffs. “You can’t get too high, you can’t get too low,” he stated, advocating for an even-keeled approach despite the opening game setback.
Dominant Pistons Falter in Fourth Quarter
For the majority of Saturday’s contest, the Pistons appeared to be the superior team. However, the pivotal fourth quarter proved to be their undoing.
The Knicks unleashed a commanding 21-0 run in the final frame, effectively erasing an eight-point deficit and establishing a 13-point advantage with just under five minutes remaining in the game.
Late-Game Collapse Not Demoralizing, Says Harris
For many teams, especially younger squads like the Pistons, where several starters were experiencing their inaugural NBA playoff game, such a late-game unraveling could prove demoralizing. However, Harris insists this is not the case for Detroit.
In fact, Harris asserted that the Pistons’ confidence remains at an “all-time high,” demonstrating a resilient mindset despite the Game 1 loss.
Pistons Focused on Bouncing Back in Game 2
“We’re in the playoffs. We know what time it is,” Harris affirmed. “This group is always about bouncing back and ensuring our focus and energy levels are where they need to be. That’s why veterans like myself are here – to ensure this group’s spirit remains elevated.”
“We’re excited and we’re embracing this challenge,” Harris continued. “We dropped our first game, but we’ll be ready to compete in Game 2.”
Coach Bickerstaff Sees Loss as a “Learning Lesson”
While Saturday’s game concluded with a bitter taste for the Pistons, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff believes the experience of the late-game breakdown will ultimately benefit his team in the long run.
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Key Takeaways for Game 2
“These are learning lessons for us,” Bickerstaff stated. “We must be honest with ourselves regarding this. We discussed pregame what experience entails, and this is experience. Now, we return for the next game, and the question is how quickly do we learn from it?”
“You have players in their first playoff game, gaining an understanding of playoff basketball, closing out a playoff game, and the inherent difficulty of that,” Bickerstaff elaborated.
The primary lesson from the fourth quarter, according to Bickerstaff, is the rapid accumulation of small details – offensive rebounds, 50-50 balls, and turnovers – and their detrimental impact on the team’s performance.
Composure Amidst Madison Square Garden Pressure
Overall, both Harris and Bickerstaff expressed pride in the Pistons’ ability to maintain their composure despite facing the Knicks as the perceived “villains” under the intense atmosphere of Madison Square Garden.
Pistons Aim to Rebound in Game 2
“[The Knicks] executed their game plan in Game 1,” Bickerstaff acknowledged. “Now, we possess game film and firsthand experience. We can analyze it, break it down, and strive to be better prepared for Game 2.”