Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks Preview, TV Channel, Injury Report, Scouting Report
In this story:
For the second time in 17 days, the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks are in action against one another. Only, this time, the game has real consequences on the season.
These two met to open up the preseason in Madison Square Garden, where New York came out on top 117-96. That game was utter domination from the start by the Knicks, as Detroit suffered the consequences of turning the ball over 21 times and not guarding the three-point line.
Now, Cade Cunningham and the Pistons are coming off a wild 113-109 opening win against the Orlando Magic. On the other hand, New York heads into MSG 0-1, after a 115-112 overtime loss at Memphis.
HOW TO WATCH
When: 7:30 PM EST
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York
TV: Bally Sports Detroit & MSG Network
INJURY REPORT
Pistons - Isaiah Livers (hip), Alec Burks (foot), and Marvin Bagley III (knee)
Knicks - Quentin Grimes (foot)
SCOUTING REPORT
It’s difficult to gain an understanding of either team after just one game, but it seems Detroit may have been experimenting with different schemes in the preseason. In their games against the Knicks and others, Dwane Casey ran a defensive scheme with heavy switching. The Pistons got to a point where they switched on any movement from on-ball and off-ball screens, to even overlaps. However, they looked completely different Wednesday against the Magic as they showed little switching. For most of the pick and rolls against Orlando, they tried to go over the screener and stick to their man, which gave them some improvement from the preseason.
Knicks fans should look for a very different Detroit team than the one they saw two weeks ago. This Pistons team features a passive Cade Cunningham as he seems to try to get his teammates going before taking the game into his own hands. Cunningham went for 18 points and 10 assists two days ago, as he showed veteran-like patience running the offense and finding open teammates. Newcomers, Bojan Bogdanovic, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren all had big games as well. Bogdanovic was arguably the player of the game for Detroit making six threes for 24 points total. From there, the rookies Ivey and Duren had spectacular debuts with the former putting up 19 points, and the latter setting a Pistons record for the youngest player with a double-double.
For the home squad, it’s clear Thibodeau wants to play a more conservative style of basketball. New York’s new $104 million ball handler Jalen Brunson looks to be the part early. He’s shown real composure, not being shy to get his own along with playmaking for others. Brunson went for 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists off of ZERO turnovers against Memphis. Those are impressive numbers for a player who has been billed as a massive overpay. The Knicks opener also had some solid performances from Julius Randle (24 pts, 11 rebs, 6 asts), Cam Reddish (22pts & 5 rebs), and Isaiah Hartenstein (16 points & 8 rebs) who played 40 minutes.
