The NBA season is nearing its midway point, meaning we’ve got a pretty good understanding of who’s real, who’s fake, and who’s trying to make a name. In the Eastern Conference, one thing is for certain: both the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks are serious contenders.
The Pistons currently sit atop the Eastern Conference Standings with a 27-9 record; they entered the night three games better than the second-place Knicks (23-13) and added another game to their lead in the standings with a 121-90 rout over New York at Little Caesars Arena.
It was a much-needed win for the Pistons, whose cracks have started to show. Detroit had lost three of its last five games entering Monday, including a loss to the struggling Utah Jazz (12-22). Furthermore, the Pistons were playing the second game of a back-to-back Monday night, making this matchup against an experienced Knicks squad that much tougher — and their dominating win that much more impressive.
The Knicks, however, have suffered a similar drought. They’ve now lost each of their last four games to the Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers.
Stream Knicks vs. Pistons with Peacock
FINAL: Pistons 121, Knicks 90
The Pistons went into cruise control mode in the fourth. Despite some impressive jumpers by Deuce McBride midway through the quarter, it became clear quickly that the game had gotten away from the Knicks as Cade Cunningham only played the first four minutes of the final frame before subbing out for the night. He finishes with 29 points, 13 assists, three rebounds and two blocks.
On their second-to-last possession of the game, Daniss Jenkins slammed home the exclamation point on Detroit’s 30-point blowout win.
END Q3: Pistons 89, Knicks 70
The Pistons rode Cunningham’s hot hand to start the second half on a 17-5 run and take full control of the game. Cunningham doubled his point total on the night with 15 in the third; he’s now scored a game-high 29 points while shooting an incredible 64.7% (11-for-17) from the floor.
With just under 30 seconds left in the frame, Jaden Ivey grabbed a missed shot by Tyler Kolek on the rebound and took it coast to coast for a layup to push Detroit’s lead to 20 points.
Cade Cunningham takes over in third quarter
Cade Cunningham keeps pouring it on in the third quarter, scoring eight of the Pistons’ last 10 points and forcing the Knicks to call a timeout. He’s getting others involved, too: Detroit’s first nine assists of the game all came from their star point guard before Paul Reed added one by finding Cunningham himself for a three from 28 feet.
Cunningham’s also active on the defensive side of the ball; he played the Knicks’ 2-on-1 perfectly and bait Deuce McBride into attacking the rim before emphatically sending the ball into the stands.
END Q2: Pistons 64, Knicks 54
The second quarter featured remarkable defensive adjustments from Detroit. The Pistons learned what wasn’t working at the end of the first quarter and moved accordingly.
Detroit’s scoring is led by Cade Cunningham with 14 points. The former No. 1 overall pick is shooting a stellar 6-of-9 from the field. The team is also getting scoring from a multitude of places, with four other players with at least seven points, including seven from Dannis Jenkins, who has also added three assists on the night.
The variety of scoring for Detroit is in sharp contrast with the Knicks who have 17 points from Jalen Brunson, but only four players with more than five points. Mikal Bridges needs to improve his efficiency (3-of-8) if New York wants any chance of coming back in the second half.
END Q1: Pistons 30, Knicks 29
The Detroit Pistons got out to a sizable early lead thanks to great early shooting. The Knicks, meanwhile, were ice cold, but were kept afloat by Jalen Brunson’s hot hand. Brunson started the game 4-of-5 from the field, and while he cooled down afterwards, finishing the quarter shooting 6-of-10, that start gave the rest of the Knicks just enough time to get their footing, particularly Jordan Clarkson, who managed six points within three minutes of entering the game.
The Knicks slowly clawed their way back into the game, bringing themselves to within one thanks to a late steal. Mayhem went down in the last 15 seconds. We saw two missed shots, and a steal. It wasn’t clear which team would head into the break with the lead. In the end, the Pistons managed to hold their lead, but given the momentum the Knicks have built in the last six minutes of game time, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Knicks grab that lead very early into the second.
How to watch New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
Tonight’s matchup between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons will stream exclusively on Peacock.
Date: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit
TV: N/A
Stream: Peacock
Knicks vs. Pistons betting odds
Here are the latest odds for the Knicks vs. Pistons game, according to BetMGM as of Monday afternoon:
Spread: Pistons +1.5
Money: Knicks -120; Pistons +100
Over/under: 232.5
Injury report for Knicks-Pistons
New York Knicks:
Josh Hart – out (right ankle)
Landry Shamet – out (right shoulder)
Detroit Pistons:
Cade Cunningham – probable (right hip)
Jalen Duren – out (right ankle)
Tobias Harris – out (left hip)
Caris LeVert – doubtful (left knee)
Duncan Robinson – probable (left calf)
New York Knicks starting lineup
*Lineups listed per NBA.com
PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Mikal Bridges
SF: OG Anunoby
PF: Karl-Anthony Towns
C: Mitchell Robinson
Detroit Pistons starting lineup
*Lineups listed per NBA.com
PG: Cade Cunningham
SG: Duncan Robinson
SF: Ausar Thompson
PF: Paul Reed
C: Isaiah Stewart