The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks meet Sunday afternoon (1:10 p.m., ABC) in a critical Game 4 at Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit in their best-of-seven first-round NBA playoff series.

The Knicks responded Thursday with their best game of the series for a 118-116 win in Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead. 

The Knicks’ stars shone bright in Game 3, as Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson (who heard constant expletive-filled chants from the Pistons crowd), OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges all scored at least 20 points. The Knicks led for nearly 45 minutes.

Cade Cunningham (24 points on 25 shots, 11 assists), Tim Hardaway Jr. (24 points) and bench stud Dennis Schröder

(18 points) helped keep the Pistons attached for most of the game, but they could not finish the comeback.

The Pistons have lost eight straight home playoff games, one off the NBA record set by Philadelphia (1968-71). Detroit’s last home playoff win came in Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals vs. Boston at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons are 0-3 in the playoffs at LCA.

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SORRY DETROIT: Jalen Brunson hasn’t earned the Draymond Green treatment — yet

Follow Knicks vs Pistons live with score updates, highlights and more from Game 4 in Detroit:

Knicks vs Pistons score, live updates in Game 4

Tim Hardaway Jr. finally makes Pistons first 3-pointer

Hardaway cashes a 3 to snap the Pistons’ 0-for-10 start from 3-point range. They trail 37-26 after Towns drives past Jalen Duren, misses the layup, but rebounds his miss and floats in the second-chance bucket at 6:41 left in the half.

The Knicks have 12 second-chance points and have wrestled control of this game despite shooting just 13-for-35 (37.1%). The Pistons are 10-for-28 (35.7%).

Knicks outworking Pistons, lead 35-23

New York is dominating the glass with eight offensive rebounds. They are 0-for-7 shooting in the quarter, but have outscored the Pistons 6-4 in the quarter with under 8 minutes to play in the half.

Pistons fans resume Jalen Brunson chants

“(Expletive) you Brunson!” chants serenade Little Caesars Arena after a loose ball situation involving Towns and Ron Holland. Cunningham shoved Holland out of the way after the rookie stood over Towns, who was still laying on the court.

After review, refs determine no hostile acts occurred and Towns is whistled for a take foul, sending Hardaway to the foul line, but he shanks the free throw. Knicks lead 33-21 at 8:36 of the second quarter.

Pistons 0-for-10 on 3-point shots, Knicks lead 33-21

With Cunningham on the bench to start the second quarter, the Pistons have just two points at the 9:14 mark. They have been sloppy with passes (rookie Ron Holland mostly) and Malik Beasley is 0-for-4 from 3, his only make a driving layup. Pistons are down 33-21 and now Cunningham checks back in for Beasley.

Knicks 29, Pistons 19 after 1st quarter

The Pistons shot just 7-for-19 in the first quarter and 0-for-6 from 3, while the Knicks have once again dominated on the offensive glass to get extra shots up (12-for-26, 5-for-10 from 3). Towns hits a corner 3 after three straight offensive rebounds, two from Josh Hart and one from Mitchell Robinson, with 9 seconds to play.

The Knicks have six offensive rebounds on 14 missed shots and have forced six Pistons giveaways. Hart has three steals and two O-boards.

The Pistons have five offensive rebounds, four from Jalen Duren, and are 5-for-6 from the foul line. Robinson missed the only NYK attempts.

Knicks hot from 3-point range, lead Pistons 24-12

NYK is 4-for-5 from 3-point range with 3:32 left in the first quarter. Josh Hart is 2-for-2 from 3. The Pistons are 0-for-4 from 3 and have committed five turnovers — three from Jalen Duren. New York is on a 14-4 run since the Pistons lost their challenge. Cunningham has started slow, shooting 1-for-3 with a turnover for two points.

There are a good chunk of Knicks fans behind New York’s bench, and they’re enjoying the start here.

Pistons challenge out-of-bounds call

J.B. Bickerstaff has challenged a call under the basket, ruled Knicks ball after Cunningham battled Anunoby for the ball at 6:52 of the first quarter and the Knicks ahead 10-8. Cunningham immediately motioned to the bench to challenge.

The referees ruled no illegal contact from the Knicks and the ball last touched Cunningham. Pistons lose the challenge. Brunson scored on the ensuing possession.

Knicks lead Pistons early, 10-8

The crowd is once again loud as the Knicks and Pistons have gone back-and-forth early with physical play. Just one foul has been called at the 6:52 mark of a fast-paced first quarter.

Towns has four points for the Knicks, the only player with more than two. Jalen Brunson and Tim Hardaway Jr. are the only players yet to score before the first subs come in.

The first “Let’s go Pistons” chant breaks out

Warmups are about finished and Pistons fans are once again fired up, looking to end an eight-game home playoff losing streak that dates to 2008.

Isaiah Stewart injury update: Out for Game 4

Stewart will miss a third straight game with right knee inflammation. His absence is a loss for the Pistons, especially after Towns lit them up for 31 points in Game 3. Stewart has been among the NBA’s best defenders by offering versatility as a rim protector and being switchable against many guards and wings. Paul Reed slots in as the backup center behind Duren.

Pistons vs Knicks jerseys for Game 4

The Pistons will don their white jerseys in Game 4 with red accents, while the Knicks will rock their traditional blue jerseys with orange piping. It’s the same combination for both teams as Game 3. The Pistons also wore white in their Game 2 win in New York.

Knicks vs Pistons starting lineups for Game 4

The starting lineups for Sunday’s action remains the same as the previous three games:

• Detroit: Cade Cunningham (PG), Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG), Ausar Thompson (SF), Tobias Harris (PF), Jalen Duren (C).
• New York: Jalen Brunson (PG), Josh Hart (SG), Mikal Bridges (SF), OG Anunoby (PF), Karl-Anthony Towns (C).

What channel is Knicks vs Pistons Game 4 on?

• TV channel: ABC.
• Streaming: Fubo (free trial), ESPN app.

Watch Pistons-NYK Game 4 on Fubo (free trial)

What time does Knicks vs Pistons Game 4 start?

• Date: Sunday, April 27.
• Time: 1:10 p.m. ET.

Knicks vs Pistons injury report Game 4

• Detroit: Jaden Ivey (out, fractured left fibula), Isaiah Stewart (out, right knee inflammation).
• New York: Mitchell Robinson (questionable, illness). Robinson is playing.

JADEN IVEY UPDATE: Pistons provide news on guard’s injury status

Knicks vs Pistons prediction for Game 4

Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press: Cunningham should rebound after a quieter performance by his standards, finishing with 24 points and 11 assists in Game 3. With the home crowd behind them, I think the Pistons take Game 4. The pick: Pistons 110, Knicks 105.

Knicks vs Pistons odds Game 4

Provided by BetMGM as of Sunday morning:

• Spread: Pistons by 2½.
• Point total: 217½.
• Moneyline: Pistons -140, Knicks +115.
• Series winner: Knicks -600, Pistons +425.

Knicks vs Pistons playoff schedule for first round series

Best-of-seven; Games 6-7 if necessary.

• Game 1: Knicks 123, Pistons 112
• Game 2: Pistons 100, Knicks 94
• Game 3, Thursday: Knicks 118, Pistons 116
• Game 4, Sunday: Knicks at Pistons, Little Caesars Arena, 1 p.m., ABC
• Game 5, Tuesday: Pistons at Knicks, Madison Square Garden, 7:30 p.m., TNT, FSND, MSG
• Game 6, Thursday: Knicks at Pistons, Little Caesars Arena, TBA (if necessary)
• Game 7, Saturday: Pistons at Knicks, Madison Square Garden, TBA (if necessary)

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