Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions November 1st 2024

At 7:00 ET, the Knicks (-273) will take on the Pistons (+222) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Knicks are favored by 6.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 218.5.

This game will be played at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The Knicks are 2-2 on the season, while the Pistons are 1-4. MSG will have the television coverage.

Knicks vs. Pistons Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons
• Where: Detroit at Little Caesars Arena
• Date: Friday, November 1st
• Betting Odds NY -6.5, NY -273 | DET +222 O/U 218.5

The Knicks Can Win If…

The Knicks evened their season record at 2-2 with a 116-107 win over the Heat on Wednesday. New York, favored by 2 points, covered the spread with the 9-point victory. The game’s total score of 223 points went over the line of 214.5 by 8.5 points.

New York went on an 11-0 run, stretching the score from 70-60 to 81-60. They outscored Miami 35-22 in the 3rd quarter and held off the Heat in the 4th, winning the final period 29-27.

Karl-Anthony Towns dominated in the Knicks’ win over the Heat, scoring 44 points on 68% shooting and hitting 4 threes at an 80% clip. Jalen Brunson added 22 points, with 10 coming in the 3rd quarter, while Mikal Bridges contributed 17 points, knocking down 4 threes.

The Knicks connected on 18 threes, shooting 45% from beyond the arc and 48.8% overall. Towns scored 14 points in the 4th quarter, and Brunson added 8 in the final frame.

The Knicks tightened up their defense after a rough 1st quarter, allowing just 32 points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters combined, to help secure a 116-107 win over the Heat. New York gave up 107 points while Miami shot 45% from the field.

New York struggled to defend the three, as the Heat hit 17 threes at a 42% clip. The Knicks sent Miami to the line 24 times, where they made 16 free throws. The Knicks finished with 35 defensive rebounds, allowing 7 offensive boards, and added 8 steals and 4 blocks.

• In their last ten games away from home, the Knicks have a straight up record of 5-5 while going 6-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 109 points per game in this stretch.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, New York has an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 7-3 straight up.
• Over their last five games, the Knicks have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Pistons Can Win If…

The Pistons picked up their first win of the season on Wednesday, defeating the 76ers 105-95 on the road. Detroit, now 1-4, entered the game as +4 point underdogs and covered the spread with the win. The total points for the game were 200, falling short of the 219.5-point O/U line.

After a slow start, where the 76ers went on a 13-0 run, Detroit responded by dominating the 2nd and 3rd quarters, outscoring Philadelphia 63-41. The Pistons entered the 4th quarter with an 85-67 lead, and despite being outscored 28-20 in the final period, they held on for the win.

Karl-Anthony Towns dominated the Heat, scoring 44 points on 68% shooting, including 4 threes at an 80% clip. He added 13 rebounds and 12 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters. Jalen Brunson contributed 22 points, with 10 coming in the 3rd quarter, despite shooting 33.3% from the field.

The Knicks hit 18 threes, shooting 45% from beyond the arc and 48.8% overall. Mikal Bridges made 4 threes, finishing with 17 points, 8 of which came in the 3rd quarter.

The Pistons’ defense was strong on Wednesday, holding the 76ers to 95 points. They gave up 26 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd, allowing just 19. In the 3rd, they allowed 22 points, and in the 4th, they gave up 28.

Detroit limited the 76ers to 41% shooting, including 28% from three-point range, where Philadelphia made just 8 threes. The Pistons also recorded 37 defensive rebounds, allowing 8 offensive boards, and added 5 blocks.

• When looking at their past three home matchups, Detroit has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 101 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Pistons have a straight up record of 1-4 and an ATS mark of 3-2.
• In their last five games, the Pistons have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Coming in as the underdogs at +6.5, we have the Pistons as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 218.5, and our model predicts the Knicks and Pistons to score a combined 249 points. We recommend betting on the over.

The New York Knicks head to Detroit to face the Pistons on Friday night, riding high after Karl-Anthony Towns’ standout performance in their recent win over Miami. The Knicks have been dominant against Detroit in recent years, but the Pistons are hungry for momentum under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

Towns’ Offensive Explosion Changes Knicks’ Dynamics

The Knicks made a splash this offseason by acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he delivered in a big way on Wednesday. In his fourth game with the team, Towns erupted for 44 points in a 116-107 victory over the Miami Heat, nearly tripling his scoring output from his first three games, where he averaged only 15.3 points. Towns was aggressive, attempting 25 shots, and his teammates ensured he stayed involved.

Jalen Brunson praised the team’s strategy: “We did a good job of just feeding the hot hand. He was hot, and we were just playing through him,” Brunson said. Towns was effective, making the right decisions even when double-teamed, either drawing fouls or finding open teammates.

With Towns currently playing center instead of his usual power forward role due to injuries, he’ll face a tough matchup against Detroit’s physical frontcourt of Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, who will look to limit his impact. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau highlighted Towns’ approach: “He’s not forcing anything. He’s letting the game come to him. He’s a very gifted scorer … He can hurt you in a lot of different ways.”

Another crucial player for New York was Josh Hart, who showed his trademark toughness. Despite dealing with a shin injury, Hart logged 42 minutes, contributing 10 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. Thibodeau was effusive in his praise: “There’s no other agenda other than winning. So whatever you ask him to do he’s going to give you everything he has.”

Pistons Look to Build on First Win Under Bickerstaff

The Detroit Pistons, meanwhile, are coming off their first victory under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 105-95 on Wednesday. Detroit’s young backcourt duo, Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham, played a pivotal role, combining for 45 points. Their energy and shot-making were instrumental in controlling the game and delivering a much-needed win.

Tobias Harris, who joined the Pistons in the offseason after years in Philadelphia, added 18 points and 14 rebounds. Harris faced a familiar and hostile reception from Sixers fans but remained focused. “I knew it wasn’t gonna be a tearful moment,” Harris joked. Despite the boos, he credited his teammates for keeping him centered and motivated: “My team really did a good job of keeping me on track … I already know what it is.”

Detroit will need another strong performance from their entire lineup to contend with a Knicks team that has had their number in recent matchups. The Pistons have lost 15 straight games to New York, a streak dating back to the 2019-20 season, and they’re determined to change that narrative.

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Key Matchup: Towns vs. Detroit’s Frontcourt

With Towns moving to center, his battle against the Pistons’ physical big men, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, will be a critical factor. Towns’ ability to stretch the floor and dominate inside poses a unique challenge for Detroit. Meanwhile, the Pistons will look to Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham to push the tempo and keep the Knicks’ defense on their heels.

The Knicks will aim to keep feeding Towns while leveraging Josh Hart’s defensive hustle and Brunson’s playmaking to extend their winning streak over the Pistons. For Detroit, maintaining defensive discipline and finding consistent offense will be key to securing a victory.