It’s tip-off day for the NBA Playoffs. 

The New York Knicks host the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of their first-round series.

This matchup, in particular, has received some buzz in the basketball world. There is expected to be an added layer of physicality and energy from both sides, which stems from the Pistons having the Knicks’ number in the regular season.

The Pistons, one season removed from a 14-68 record, have gotten their swagger back as they are no longer a bottom-feeder in the league.

New York, on the other hand, has an absurdly talented starting lineup, led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The duo will have to be brilliant, as they will be leaned upon mightily to produce offensively.

On the other side, the Cade Cunningham-led Pistons will have a strong identity, which they’ve curated all season long, leading to a franchise turnaround.

While predictions for the series can go either way, the tension has already started to ride before either team has stepped on the hardwood.

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts with guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Malik Beasley passed on being concerned, to any extent, by Towns as a threat in this series.

Stephen A. Smith, Kendrick Perkins defend Towns

While Beasley dismissed Towns as a threat, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins were quick to come to his defense.

“KAT don’t have a [expletive] thing to prove. He’s proven,” Perkins said. “He showed me in the second round of the Western Confernece, in the playoffs, what he did to Jokic, outplaying Jokic.”

Towns was stellar in the postseason with the Minnesota Timberwolves a season ago. He will look to have a similar impact for New York this season.

Beasley, on the other hand, was superb off the bench this season, being among the league’s leaders in 3-pointers made.