After a tough loss to title contenders Cleveland Cavaliers, the Detroit Pistons (23-34) will have a much easier assignment on Friday, when they take on the lottery-bound New York Knicks (10-46). Will the Pistons get back in the win column and resume their chase for a playoff slot? Or will the Knicks pull off a rare win?
The Bulls and the Wolves are also scheduled to play a game this coming Friday. Read a preview of that game here.
[sc:NBAArticles ]New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons Preview
Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills
When: Friday, February 27, 7:30 PM ET
Line: New York Knicks (+13.5) vs. Detroit Pistons (-13.5); total 194.5 — view all NBA lines
Betting on the New York Knicks
The Knicks have lost so many games it’s not even funny anymore. The free fall continues for the storied franchise as New York absorbed its eighth-consecutive setback on Wednesday by losing to the Boston Celtics, 115-94.
[sc:NBA240banner ]As usual, the Knicks’ utter futility on both ends of the floor caused their demise against Boston. They went just 34-of-82 (41.5%) from the field, including a terrible 2-of-21 (9.5%) from the three-point area. On the flipside, they allowed Boston to shoot over 50% overall. The Celtics even made 14 triples and scored 18 fast break points against New York’s defense that entered the ball game 20th in the league with 100.5 points surrendered per contest.
Without Carmelo Anthony (knee), the Knicks don’t have a clear go-to guy on offense when they go up against Detroit. For now, they’ll have to live with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cleanthony Early sharing minutes in the four position to cover up for Anthony’s absence. Hardaway and Early are averaging 11.1 PPG and 3.8 PPG this season, respectively.
They can also get some help from Andrea Bargnani, who is starting to get his rhythm on the offensive end. Bargnani has averaged just 7.7 PPG this season, but has scored in double digits in each of the Knicks’ last four games, wherein he saw an average of 23.7 minutes of action.
With that string of good scoring performances, Bargnani is primed to improve on his measly two-point output in the Knicks’ 91-87 loss to Detroit on January 2.
The Knicks are 4-2 ATS in their last six trips to Auburn Hills.
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Betting on the Detroit Pistons
The acquisition of Reggie Jackson on the trade deadline has breathed some confidence into the Pistons, who were in desperate need for a permanent replacement for the injured Brandon Jennings.
Despite Detroit’s 102-93 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, Jackson made it apparent that he’s perfect for the job as he stuffed the stat sheet with 22 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds with a block to boot. Before the Cavs game, Jackson was excellent in his debut as well, putting up 17 points, five rebounds and five assists in Detroit’s 106-89 win Sunday over Washington.
Expect Jackson, together with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to have his way against the Knicks’ defense that has repeatedly shown its lack of ability to stop opposing backcourts. The Knicks are giving up 45.2 PPG to opposing guards, the third-worst mark in the NBA thus far this season.
The Pistons’ frontline led by Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, meanwhile, should also have a field day against New York. The Pistons have averaged 40 points in the paint per game in two meetings this season with the Knicks.
Monroe is averaging in double figures in points and rebounds this season, putting up 15.4 PPG and 10.5 RPG. Drummond, on the other hand, has averages of 12.8 PPG and 13.0 RPG.
The Pistons are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Detroit wins, 108-98.
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