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

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

This will be the first time these two teams play each other since the Knicks’ first-round victory over the Pistons in last year’s playoffs.

Thanks to the wizardry and playmaking of point guard Cade Cunningham, Detroit sits atop the East standings, while the Knicks are just three games behind at number two.

Oddsmakers have taken note of Detroit’s injuries as New York puts points on the road for this matchup.

Cunningham is showing why he is considered a generational talent, averaging 26.7 points and 9.6 assists, second-best in the NBA. If Detroit were fully healthy, this would be a great regular season game.

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

Duren’s offensive ability has evolved, and the pick-and-roll chemistry he exhibits with Cunningham has helped the Pistons turn the corner. Additionally, Harris can provide perimeter scoring and timely shots. Their absence will be crucial as the Pistons’ depth is tested.

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

New York is on a three-game losing streak and will once again be without starting forward Josh Hart. But expect Jalen Brunson and especially Karl-Anthony Towns to take advantage of the undermanned Pistons.

Towns struggled against the physicality of Duren and Isaiah Stewart several 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 based on ball movement and shooting from beyond the arc, getting Towns to attack the Pistons’ back line of defense will likely be an emphasis.

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

Look for the Knicks to surpass the Pistons, who will play on the second night of a back-to-back after Sunday’s win against Cleveland.

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

The Game: Knicks -2 (-110, FanDuel) | Cities 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 betting for nearly three years. Mike also has a lot of knowledge of the sportsbooks on offer and regularly tries out the latest apps and sites.