The Detroit Pistons (1-1) head into Madison Square Garden for a Saturday evening game against the New York Knicks (0-1). The Knicks look to get in the win column in what will be their home opener. The Knicks lost their season opener 105-84 on Thursday night in Oklahoma City to the Thunder. After winning their season opener at home 102-90 against the Charlotte Hornets, Detroit’s comeback effort fell short as they lost 115-111 on the road to the Washington Wizards.
Projected starting lineups
Pistons projected starters: PG - Reggie Jackson, SG - Avery Bradley, SF - Stanley Johnson, PF - Tobias Harris, C - Andre Drummond
Knicks projected starters: PG - Ramon Sessions, SG - Tim Hardaway Jr., SF - Courtney Lee, PF - Kristaps Porzingis, C - Enes Kanter
Key matchup: Tobias Harris vs. Kristaps Porzingis
Harris has gotten off to a quick start for Detroit, particularly in their first game.
The seven-year forward scored 27 points on 11-18 shooting while also grabbing 10 boards in the Pistons' season opener. In Friday’s loss, he was less involved but still dropped 15 points on only nine field goal attempts. Harris led the team in scoring, averaging 16.1 points per game in 2016-17.
The Knicks were only able to muster 84 points in their season-opening loss to the Thunder as the team’s leading scorer other than Porzingis was Enes Kanter with only 10. Porzingis was the only Knick player who seemed to perform at a high level in the defeat as he finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds. With Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose no longer on the team, the 22-year-old is obviously the team’s offensive focal point as his 25 field goal attempts were 15 more than any of his teammates (Hardaway and Kanter each had 10).
What Knicks fans should watch for
Willy Hernangomez was seen as a future cornerstone piece for many Knicks fans after a 2016-17 season that saw him earn a place on the All-Rookie Second Team. He posted per game averages of 8.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in only 18.4 minutes per game.
While it was evident that improvements were needed with his defense, New York fans were definitely surprised to see him only play four minutes of garbage time in the season-opening loss.
Enes Kanter (known for his defensive liabilities) had a plus/minus of -21, playing 22 minutes in the loss. Kyle O’Quinn was solid with six points and 10 rebounds, playing the backup center minutes, but one has to wonder if head coach Jeff Hornacek will reconsider having Hernangomez out of the rotation.
From an injury standpoint, rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina turned his ankle at practice on Friday and has been listed as questionable for the home opener.
Forward Michael Beasley is also listed as questionable after he sprained his ankle not even a minute into his initial game as a New York Knick.
History of Pistons/Knicks
The Knicks lead the all-time matchup 206-168 and own a 171-139 advantage since the Pistons moved to Detroit. The two teams split the four matchups last season with the home team winning every game. The Knicks have been triumphant in the last four meetings at Madison Square Garden against Detroit.
