The top two teams in the Eastern Conference meet for the second time this season, and the Pistons will remember exactly how the first one went. Back on January 5, Detroit made a loud statement in this building, crushing the Knicks 121-90 in a revenge spot after being bounced by New York in last year’s playoffs. Cade Cunningham ran the show, the Pistons dominated the paint and transition, and they did it all without Jalen Duren.

Now, Detroit gets another crack at the Knicks, this time with Duren likely back in the lineup and New York rolling in on an eight-game win streak. Fatigue and injuries could play a big factor for both sides.

Miles McBride, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and newly acquired Jose Alvarado are all game-time decisions for New York, while Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren are game-time decisions for Detroit.

Knicks vs. Pistons NBA Betting Odds

Point Spread: Knicks +1.5 (-120) vs Pistons -1.5 (+100)
Moneyline: Knicks (-110) vs Pistons (-110)
Point Total: Over 222.5 (-115) / Under 222.5 (-105)

The Knicks lean heavily on three-point volume, while the Pistons thrive inside, off turnovers and at the free-throw line. New York has struggled on the road, sitting just 11-12 away from MSG and owning an 8-15-1 ATS record outside New York. Both teams produce unders frequently on the season, and the Pistons’ defence is elite at limiting three-point efficiency.

New York Knicks

Only three of the Knicks’ wins during this eight-game stretch came on the road, and the latest win at home required double overtime against Denver on Wednesday night. Jalen Brunson logged a season-high 47 minutes and dropped 42 points, while Mikal Bridges (49 minutes) and OG Anunoby (48 minutes) were also pushed hard.

Miles “Deuce” McBride, one of New York’s few reliable bench scorers, is done for the regular season. Josh Hart has missed the last game and remains questionable with an ankle injury, while Karl-Anthony Towns is also questionable due to an eye laceration after being held to just six points and six turnovers in the first meeting with Detroit.

Detroit Pistons

Detroit stays home for the second night of a back-to-back, and the schedule spot turned out to be more damaging after a failed comeback and loss to the now 14-36 Wizards. Knowing this game was coming the next day, I was surprised to see the Pistons fight after the Wizards went up big early. Cunningham logged 38 minutes and Duren only played 13 minutes due to a knee injury. Hopefully, Duren’s exit was proactive so he could be ready to play the Knicks this time around. The Pistons were already dominant inside without him in January; adding an 18-point, 10-rebound, 63 per cent shooter at the rim would only tilt the matchup further in their favour.

Cunningham continues to play at an All-NBA level, averaging 25.4 points and 9.8 assists, and the deadline addition of Kevin Huerter adds much-needed shooting depth. Detroit is 20-6 at home, forces turnovers at the highest rate in the NBA and defends the three better than most, which is exactly the profile you want against this Knicks team.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Knicks vs. Pistons?

The Pistons bullied New York in every phase of the first meeting and if Duren is ready to go after playing just 13 minutes last night, it could be more of the same against a Knicks squad limping into a road game banged up after an emotional double-OT win. Detroit’s ability to draw fouls and force turnovers with big, long guards directly attacks New York’s weaknesses. I can see the Pistons prevailing tonight with a narrow 112-108 victory.

KNICKS

Away

108

PISTONS

Home

112

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Predictions

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