Game Preview: Knicks vs Pistons, January 13, 2025

On By Littum

The Knicks enter Monday’s game off a win, something that has happened just twice in the first 12 days of the 2025 calendar year, coincidentally only prior to the games against the OKC Thunder.

However, this opponent is completely different as New York defeated the Bucks on Sunday and will go against the visitors Detroit Pistons in the comfort of MSG for what could be their first straight wins since they last put the dub-and-dub together in Dec. 30-Jan. 1.

The Eastern Conference matchup sees the Knicks enter the game at 19-9 in conference games, while the Pistons boast a balanced 14-14 in such games. Adding hope to New York’s chances on Monday, even playing in the second leg of a back-to-back slate, is the fact that the hosts are 13-6 inside MSG to Detroit’s 10-10 record in road games.

New York also beat Detroit 128-98 in their first meeting of the season…but then proceeded to crumble at the hands of the Motowners, dropping an early December matchup 120-111.

Starters and injury reports

Do I need to tell you who the Knicks will field at this point in the season? The starting five is a lock barring Jalen Brunson’s presence on it depending on how he feels after Sunday’s scare, but other than that our five is a hell of a chalk.

Since losing Jaden Ivey for the season, Detroit has used a bit of a mix of starting five units. Expect Cade Cunningham to lead the team along with, most likely, a foursome consisting of OAKAAK Tim Hardaway, Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson.

As I write this in the wee hours (hello from across the pond), the Knicks haven’t even submitted their injury report yet. Detroit has done it, though, and they list no starters in it, except for Ivey, which, well, isn’t happening.

Forecast

ESPN.com favors the Knicks to win by nearly 60%, which is more than fair, but also describes this trap game to perfection.

It’s time for New York to make some kind of statement, win two straight games for the first time since the squad clinched New Year’s Eve with wins on Dec. 30 and Jan. 1 and start a winning streak ahead of the trip to Philadelphia on Wednesday. Knicks with 7.

Game details

Date: Monday 13 January 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Meeting place: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
TV: MSG, FDSDET
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky