Game Info:
New York Knicks (23-28) vs. Detroit Pistons (26-24)
The Palace of Auburn Hills (7:00 p.m.)
TV: TNT, Radio: ESPN NY 98.7
Knicks Report:
After dismantling the Suns on Friday, the Knicks head to the Motor City looking to rebound from two consecutive losses -- and six in their last seven games -- against the Pistons.
Tuesday's matchup with division-rival Boston was tight until the third quarter, when the Celtics clamped down on defense to open up a double-digit advantage. Robin Lopez (17 points, 13 rebounds) and Carmelo Anthony (16 and 14) did their best to punish Boston inside, but New York shot just 37.8 percent from the field in the loss.
News and Notes:
- UPDATE: Derek Fisher announced in his pre-game media availability that Jose Calderon will return from a groin injury that cost him four games. He will be in the starting lineup.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Detroit's talented young shooting guard, will miss the game with his own groin injury. Rookie Stanley Johnson will start in his place.
- Following the Boston loss, Fisher stressed that as a developing team, the Knicks are focused on process over results. New York ranks 15th in the league in offensive efficiency an 20th on defense, trailing tonight's opponent by four games in the loss column for the final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.
- Langston Galloway started his fourth straight game in place of injured Jose Calderon (groin) on Tuesday. He attempted just four shots and finished with one point, although his nine rebounds contributed to the Knicks' advantage on the glass.
- At morning shootaround, Fisher said he expects Calderon to play tonight, but did not say whether he'd start or how many minutes he'd play.
- Reggie Jackson has emerged as a bona fide floor general for the Pistons. The point guard is averaging 19.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest, while connecting on over 36 percent of 3-point attempts. Stan Van Gundy has transformed his squad into an above-average offensive club (13th) and Andre Drummond anchors the NBA's 10th-best defense.
- The Knicks won the last matchup handily at Madison Square Garden on December 29th, 108-96. In that game, Lopez blocked six shots and helped force Drummond into an inefficient 5-for-15 shooting night. New York also had success from the field, shooting over 50 percent from the field and 8 for 16 from downtown.
- It'll be worth watching minutes distribution, as tonight's contest marks the first of a back-to-back set that concludes on Friday against Memphis at MSG.