Before the Detroit Pistons’ first-round series against the New York Knicks, coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasized that the margin for error during the postseason is very narrow. On Sunday

And through the first two games of the series, the Pistons — who have built their reputation during this breakout season on outmuscling opponents — bullied the Knicks in terms of their physicality and aggressiveness. Last year, the Knicks were usually the bullies. That was certainly true when they beat Harris’ 76ers in six games in the first round.