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Detroit is 3-0. New York is 0-3 and has already lost twice at the Garden. And the Knicks are still laying four and a half. Even without Jalen Duren, I’ll take the Pistons with the points.
The Matchup
- Detroit hasn’t lost. The Pistons beat Boston 121-113, won 128-111 in Miami and won 106-93 in Philadelphia.
- New York hasn’t won. The Knicks lost 106-100 to Philly at home, 107-103 in Boston and 111-102 to Orlando at home.
- Last season. Detroit went 60-22 and outscored teams by 8.2 a game. New York went 53-29, plus 6.3.
- Tip-off. 8:00 PM ET at Madison Square Garden, on NBC.
Injuries
Jalen Duren (hamstring) is out for Detroit and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. That’s a real loss: he averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds last season. Isaiah Joe (hip) is questionable, and Ausar Thompson was a full go at shootaround. New York is without Jose Alvarado.
The Number
Last season’s scoring margins plus home court make this close to a pick’em. The board says Knicks by four and a half. Take a few points off Detroit for Duren and there’s still room on the Pistons’ side.
The honest case against: Duren is Detroit’s second-best player, and an 0-3 team at home has every reason to come out swinging. It’s a Game Pick, a lean, and like every pick we post, it lands on the receipts page win or lose.
Bottom Line
Take the Pistons plus four and a half at −115 at FanDuel. Lean. The unbeaten team getting points against the winless one. Detroit Basketball.
Same-Game Parlay
One read in two legs. With Duren out, more of the scoring falls on Cade Cunningham. If Detroit covers, he’s probably the reason. Every leg needs the same game, so this is one position, not two bets.
- ✕Detroit Pistons +4
- ✕Cade Cunningham over 23.5 points
✕ LOST · 0 of 2 legs hit
Cade carries the scoring and Detroit stays close.
Confirm lines before you build the ticket. This parlay is a Game Pick. Player props not available in all states.