Knicks vs. Pistons prediction, pick: NBA odds, props, best bet for Monday

· New York Post

The Knicks (23-12) and Pistons (26-9) meet at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday night. 

This will be the first time these two teams have played since the Knicks’ first-round series win over the Pistons in last year’s playoffs.

The wizardry and playmaking of point guard Cade Cunningham have Detroit atop the East standings, while the Knicks trail behind by just three games as the No. 2 seed. 

Oddsmakers have made note of Detroit’s injuries as New York is laying points on the road for this contest. 

Cunningham is showing why he’s considered a generational talent, averaging 26.6 points and 9.7 assists, second-best in the NBA. If Detroit were at full health, this would be a great regular-season matchup.

However, Pistons starters Jalen Duren and veteran Tobias Harris will be out for this contest. 

Duren’s offensive ability has evolved, and the pick-and-roll chemistry he’s displayed with Cunningham has helped the Pistons turn the corner. In addition, Harris can provide perimeter scoring and timely shotmaking. Their absence is vital as the Pistons’ frontline depth gets tested. 

Jalen Duren #0 and Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons high five during the game. NBAE via Getty Images

This benefits the Knicks, who could really use a win. 

New York is on a three-game losing skid and will be missing starting forward Josh Hart yet again. But expect Jalen Brunson and especially Karl-Anthony Towns to take advantage of the undermanned Pistons. 

Towns struggled with the physicality of Duren and Isaiah Stewart numerous times in the playoffs, but still averaged 19.7 points and 10 rebounds on 48% from 3-point range against Detroit. 

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While Mike Brown’s offense is predicated on ball movement and firing away from beyond the arc, getting Towns to attack the Pistons’ back line of defense will likely be an emphasis for this game.

Towns’ current mark of 11.8 rebounds per outing is second-best in the NBA, and his 23 double-doubles on the season are third-best behind only Nikola Jokic and Jalen Johnson. 

Aim for the Knicks to outpace the Pistons, who will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back following Sunday’s win against Cleveland.

The stage is also set for Towns to have his fingerprints on this game opposite a hampered Pistons rotation of bigs. 

The Play: Knicks -2 (-110, FanDuel) | Towns to record a double-double (-220, FanDuel)

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Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC. He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years. Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.