Game thread: New York Knicks @ Detroit Pistons 7:00 11/27/2018 [Game #22]

Emmanuel Mudiay is doing his best to show the New York Knicks that their point guard of the future is already on the roster.

Mudiay has been instrumental in the team's last two victories. He scored 15 of his season-high 27 points in the fourth quarter against New Orleans on Friday, then converted a pivotal transition dunk and free throw in a 103-98 road victory over Memphis on Sunday.

Mudiay will try to keep the hot hand going when the Knicks play at Detroit on Tuesday night. New York (7-14) has won three straight after a 4-14 start.

"It was ferocious, it was the stamp on it," coach David Fizdale said of Mudiay's dunk. "The exclamation point. He wanted to bring it home so bad. It was a big-time basketball play."

Mudiay is averaging 16 points over the last six games while shooting 53 percent from the field.

The Knicks acquired the seventh overall pick in the 2015 draft from Denver in a three-team deal just before last season's trade deadline.

Fizdale, the team's first-year coach, believes the 22-year-old's improvement is more emotional than physical.

"He has my total confidence," Fizdale told the New York Post and other media outlets. "A big part of his deal, can I rebuild that? It wasn't a lot of stuff we had to tinker with in his game - maybe his (perimeter) shot a little bit but it was his spirit. I'm proud of the way he's leading the first group."

Fizdale's team is building confidence during its mini-winning streak but it will face another team that's feeling good about itself. The Pistons have won four of their last five, including a 118-107 victory over Phoenix on Sunday. They outscored the Suns 35-23 in the fourth quarter.

"We fell into this 'you score, I score' mentality," coach Dwane Casey said. "As soon as we got a little bit of defensive aggressiveness and toughness into the game that helped us out, plus taking care of the ball."

The Pistons also got a major boost from their reserves, who contributed 47 points. Casey wants his starters to show more energy on Tuesday when his club plays the third of six consecutive home games.

"They did a good job and they were ready to play," Casey said of the second unit. "It's something about these afternoon games that we've got to drink some coffee in the morning, wake up a little bit earlier, have a 6 o'clock in the morning shootaround, something to get us going. No matter what time of day it is, our playing personality has to be ready to play. Come out ready to play, come out hard and play aggressive, we didn't do that in the first half and we made it hard on ourselves."

An old problem may have resurfaced on Sunday. Andre Drummond had another big game with 19 points, 16 rebounds and five steals but he missed seven of eight free throw attempts. The Suns intentionally fouled him in the fourth quarter while trying to rally back and Drummond sat out during crunch time.

Drummond improved his foul shooting from a ghastly 38.6 percent during the 2016-17 season to 60.5 percent last season. He's dropped to 51.1 percent this season and could face more 'Hack-A-Dre' tactics if he continues to misfire.

(STATS / cbssports.com)

Thanks for the game thread Rady. Have to credit Fiz for Mudiay success, I and many others gave up on him but he stuck with him and fortified his confidence instead of tearing it down with a benching. Perry may have a tough job resigning these guys like Vonleh and Mudiay if they continue their outstanding play of late.

Same starters as the last 3 for the Knicks.

THJ hits the first open jumper a 3 after 4 layups in the paint. Knicks lead 11-5, Midway in the first.

Knicks missing a lot of close in layups until that MRob layup allowing DET to tie it after Galloway hits a 3. 17-17 tie 2 left in the first.

17-4 DET run to end one. 24-19 DET.

2nd unit playing a little shaky but Fiz is sticking with them so far

Very bad back-to-back plays by Knits. For someone who we touted how great his size and metrics are his opposition somehow negates it as is he was the size of Trey Burke

If there's anyone that needs to go down to the GLEAGUE It's Knox. CLee comes back I'd send him down.

Broadway said:

Very bad back-to-back plays by Knits. For someone who we touted how great his size and metrics are his opposition somehow negates it as is he was the size of Trey Burke

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Bondy gave him a C- as a report card grade. I don't see the Knicks picking up his 4th year option if he looks like this next Sept.

tiger0330 said:

Bondy gave him a C- as a report card grade. I don't see the Knicks picking up his 4th year option if he looks like this next Sept.

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I read that, actually mentioned look out for him to be trade bait come deadline due to inquiries. We're already getting calls on Dotson(who maybe should get his minutes if he's not going to wake up)

Thanks for the Game-Thread Rady .... Another road game I want us to win .. this time over Detroit's Drummund and Blake.
I'm waiting for the 2nd half of the game .. Frank has to put a stopper on Reggie Jackson scoring in the 2nd half

THJ hits a tough 15 ft step back jumper to close the half. DET up 51-43, could be worse with the Knicks only shooting 28% 16% from 3. This team has no quit so I expect a comeback.

Broadway said:

I read that, actually mentioned look out for him to be trade bait come deadline due to inquiries. We're already getting calls on Dotson(who maybe should get his minutes if he's not going to wake up)

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Something I said I wouldn't do but if you're looking to roll the dice, would you trade Fultz for Nits? I just don't think the kids injury can be that serious, it's in his head and maybe a coach like Fiz can do something with him.

We have 1 combined point from our last 2 lottery picks. A common occurrence. I get both are 19/20 and will take time... but... geez.

tiger0330 said:

Something I said I wouldn't do but if you're looking to roll the dice, would you trade Fultz for Nits? I just don't think the kids injury can be that serious, it's in his head and maybe a coach like Fiz can do something with him.

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You just don't get rid of a player (just like) Trevor Ariza !!!

tiger0330 said:

Something I said I wouldn't do but if you're looking to roll the dice, would you trade Fultz for Nits? I just don't think the kids injury can be that serious, it's in his head and maybe a coach like Fiz can do something with him.

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Fultz is definitely playing possum with the Sixers and I said this last yr when the wild story broke out. I would at least entertain it as another means to light a fire under Knits. Fultz can play and we'll see so once he's traded to a situation that works. Then again this could very well be the case with our youngan, who knows. He just looks all around ordinary

Frank need to get back to his passing-game rather then keep running this silly isolation-offense ..
Dotson's back on the court !!!

Whats up with Knox?
What do we do bout Knox?
He's to soft under the boards (another Tired KP), he dont know how to box-out, or screen or pick for his teammates SMH

Breen discussing Stanley Johnson's stats, beyond bad for an 8th pick and Marquese Chris another 8th pick sucking in HOU after PHO gave up on him. Our 8th Nits looks to be like those 2 guys