The Detroit Pistons took a major step towards turning the series around against the New York Knicks.
A controversial and incorrect ‘no call’ in Game 4, the Detroit Pistons re-entry in the NBA Playoffs looked to be on life support.
The New York Knicks had the chance to close out the series at home in Game 5, and failed to do so, with the Pistons closing the gap to 3-2.
The Pistons pulled off a 106-103 victory, and host Game 6 in Detroit to try and tie up the series.
And veteran star Malik Beasley is revelling in the team’s success, extending their season for at least another game.
Mikal Bridges scored 17 points for the Knicks in their defeat, a game in which no New York player hit the 20-point marker.
And postgame, Pistons star Malik Beasley could not resist taking a shot at Bridges, responding to a message he spotted before the game on X.
“Mikal going for 44 Thursday,” a Knicks fan posted.
Beasley responded with, “Minutes?” and a laughing emoji, mocking the wildly incorrect prediction.
Bridges played 38 minutes in total, with no Knicks player actually reaching 40, although these rotations could be tighten up for Games 6 and 7.
Malik Beasley’s message angered New York Knicks fans, many of who pointed out that Bridges still scored more points than he did.
Sixth Man of the Year nominee Beasley scored 10 points, going just 2-7 from three-point range, continuing his own struggles in the series.
As one of the NBA’s most prolific three-point shooters in the regular season, Beasley is 14-46 in the playoffs, 30.4 per cent.
In the regular season he was shooting 40.6 per cent from three, and if Beasley can rediscover his scoring touch in Games 6 and 7, it could make a vital difference.
For now he is clearly revelling in the team’s victory, living to fight another day.
