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Sign up for E-newsPistons vs. Knicks Gameday
Last Meeting: Detroit won 101-97 (March 7, 2008)
The skinny: It’s been another disastrous season for the Knicks, but they’re coming to The Palace with at least a few reasons to feel better. First and foremost, they beat Orlando 100-90 Sunday night at Madison Square Garden – the first victory over an NBA team other than Miami since Feb. 27. The Knicks beat Miami twice in a 2-13 March and had lost five straight until dumping the Magic, who were coming off a big win at Cleveland on Saturday. New York also got some good news Monday when franchise icon Patrick Ewing was named to the Hall of Fame. And it’s a slam dunk that Knicks coach Isiah Thomas will be among the players honored prior to tonight’s game as part of the Pistons’ All-Time Team celebration to commemorate the franchise’s 50th year in Detroit. Eddy Curry and Quentin Richardson are out for the Knicks, which probably registers as addition by subtraction. The Knicks have gone to a more athletic lineup with Jared Jeffries and David Lee at forward and rookie Wilson Chandler playing in the backcourt next to Jamal Crawford, who leads the Knicks in scoring at 20.8 points a game. Zach Randolph moves to center with Curry out. He’s averaging 17.8 points and 10.3 rebounds. Randolph Morris, who joined the Knicks late last season out of Kentucky, is starting to see some playing time.
What to watch: It figures to be more of the same for the Pistons – short minutes for their starters, long minutes for their bench. Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo have the size to match up to the Knicks’ big backcourt of Crawford and Chandler and Mardy Collins off the bench. Stuckey has been playing as well as any rookie in the league over the past few weeks and it giving every indication that he’ll play a major role in the postseason. His jump shot has turned very reliable, his decision-making has improved and he’s been better than solid as a defender. With a Wednesday game at potential playoff opponent Philadelphia looming, it’s likely that Flip Saunders will give long looks at players like Amir Johnson, Juan Dixon and Walter Herrmann in this one and then use a more normal rotation against the 76ers.
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