The Detroit Pistons, the last undefeated team in the Eastern Conference, visit the winless New York Knicks on Tuesday, Oct. 27 in a matchup between contrasting starts to the NBA season. The defending champion Knicks have dropped their first three games, while the Pistons have won their first three, including a road victory over the Philadelphia 76ers without All-Star center Jalen Duren.
Injury concerns for Detroit
Duren, who signed a $200 million contract extension before the season, will miss at least two weeks with a right hamstring strain suffered against the Miami Heat. The Pistons may also be without guards Ausar Thompson (ankle) and Isaiah Joe (hip contusion) for the game at Madison Square Garden. Paul Reed stepped up with eight points, eight rebounds and three blocks in 26 minutes during Sunday's win in Philadelphia.
Knicks searching for answers
New York blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead in a 111-102 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday, becoming the first defending NBA champions to start 0-3 since the 2011-12 Dallas Mavericks. Jalen Brunson shot 12-for-28 from the field, and Mikal Bridges is averaging just 3.3 points on 21.7% shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns has been the lone bright spot as he plays for a new contract. Coach Mike Brown benched backup center Andre Drummond in the second quarter for a lack of defensive effort, turning to James Wiseman.
Recent history favors Pistons
Detroit swept the regular-season series 3-0 last year, winning each game by double digits. Cade Cunningham averaged 27.3 points and 11.0 assists in those meetings, including a 40-point, 10-assist performance at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks' season win total has already been adjusted from 51.5 to 49.5.
Projection models favor New York by a narrow 111-108 margin, but the Pistons will look to extend their unbeaten start against a desperate Knicks team.
