Game Preview: Pistons Back on the Road for Meeting with Knicks

The Detroit Pistons (6-5) are back out on the road tonight, as they take on the New York Knicks (4-6) at the Madison Square Garden. The game begins at 7:30pm EST. The Pistons beat the Knicks in their first matchup of the year, 102-89.

The Knicks come into this game after defeating the Dallas Mavericks 93-77 on Monday. It was an odd game, as the Knicks managed to score only 36 points in first half. However, the Mavericks only scored 39 points in the first 24 minutes of the game, making the Knicks second half outburst good enough to get the win. The Knicks held the Mavericks to 28 points combined in the second and third quarter. The game was opened up in the third quarter when the Knicks decided to play small. Coach Jeff Hornaceck benched Joakim Noah, who they signed for $72 million over the offseason. He moved Kristaps Porzingis up to center and Carmelo Anthony up to power forward, while inserting swingman Justin Holiday into the lineup. Holiday scored 16 points and grabbed four rebounds in the game. The Knicks used a 31-point third quarter to take control of the game. Porzingis and Carmelo both scored 24 points in the win. 17 of Anthony's 24 points came in the outstanding third quarter. The Knicks were on a two-game losing streak prior to the win.

https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/798686253600292866

The Pistons picked up a major win on Monday, knocking off the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-88. Detroit won the game not only without Reggie Jackson but Andre Drummond, who missed the game with a sprained right ankle. Aron Baynes stepped in for Drummond and boy did he deliver. He scored 20 points, a point shy of his career high while grabbing eight rebounds in the win. He also held Steven Adams, who recently agreed to a $100 million extension with the Thunder to four points in 29 minutes of action.

https://twitter.com/JakeChapmanNBA/status/798361141076512768

Tobias Harris had a very solid game. He scored 22 points while grabbing six rebounds and adding three assists in the win. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 17 points while going 1-4 from the three-point line. He's shooting 36.4% from deep this year. Jon Leuer had 8 points and nine boards off the bench. Detroit had 25 assists in the win but was outrebounded 51-47. Without Drummond, the Pistons only grabbed four offensive rebounds in the game, while the Thunder had 13. Detroit improved to 5-0 at home. They are the only team in the NBA to not lose a home game this season.

This game should be considered another must win for the Pistons. They do not play much more below .500 teams in November.

Stan Van Gundy joked after the win on Detroit being back on the road.

https://twitter.com/AaronMcMann/status/798374982883700736

Injuries: Reggie Jackson will miss tonight's game but participated in all non-contact drills at practice yesterday. Andre Drummond is considered probable to play but did not practice yesterday. Lance Thomas is out for the Knicks.

Featured image: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports