Knicks hold off Pistons 118-112 in unexpected thriller

In a nail-biting encounter, the New York Knicks managed to secure a hard-fought 118-112 victory against the Detroit Pistons.

Jalen Brunson saved the Knicks from an embarrassing night, dropping a game high 42 points on 13-of-24 shooting, including seven three-pointers, showcasing his offensive prowess. Julius Randle contributed significantly with 29 points and 10 rebounds, playing a crucial role in the Knicks’ success.

Donte DiVincenzo, who finished with 12 pts off the bench, all from long range, provided a critical spark for the Knicks, especially when the team was grappling with a challenging phase. His two crucial three-pointers not only helped the Knicks regain momentum but also provided a 6-point lead with just over four minutes left in the game.

The teams went head-to-head in a fiercely contested third quarter, with former Knick Kevin Knox giving the Pistons their first lead since the opening minute, at 85-83 behind a three point play. The Knicks had initially led 65-61 early in the third, marking the largest lead either team held during the quarter.

The second quarter saw an unexpected comeback from the Pistons, outscoring the Knicks 37-23 and narrowing a 16-point lead that the Knicks had built. RJ Barrett, finishing with 15 points, had notably contributed to the Knicks’ early lead with a layup and two free throws, putting them up 35-19 just two minutes into the second quarter.

The Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham’s 31 points, including four three-pointers, and Killian Hayes with 23 points, showcased resilience throughout the game. Marcus Sasser, coming off the bench, added 17 points, hitting five of seven attempts from beyond the arc.

In a game where the teams were neck-and-neck in various statistical categories, the Knicks managed to pull through. Both teams made numerous threes (Knicks 15, Pistons 16), secured a similar number of rebounds (Knicks 42, Pistons 41), scored 44 points in the paint each, and blocked each other three times. The Knicks, however, had the edge in free throws made, converting 20 of their 28 attempts compared to the Pistons’ 11 out of 17 attempts.

The Pistons suffered their 16th straight loss, setting a franchise record after starting the season 2-1. The Knicks, on the other hand are undefeated against teams with losing record, winning 9 out of 9.

Up-next: The Knicks (11-7) will be on the road tonight, taking on the Toronto Raptors (9-10) from 7:30 pm.