NBA: Knicks, Pistons both less than 100% for matchup of top two East teams

The top two teams in the Eastern Conference will meet in Detroit on Monday night in what could serve as a preview of this season’s Eastern Conference Finals. Both the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons, however, will be without key players.

New York is looking to end a three-game losing streak. The absence of Josh Hart has contributed to the Knicks’ struggles, as the guard has been sidelined with an ankle injury for the past five games and will not play Monday.

“At the end of the day, having Josh out there helps a ton,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “Right now, our pace is not good. We’re walking the ball up almost every time, and everything is just going to the front side. It’s been a while—at least these last two games—our staples: our pace in the full court and the front court, spacing the floor correctly, making quick decisions, touching the paint, and getting the ball reversed. We haven’t seen a lot of any of that.”

The Knicks’ recent losses have come at home, falling 111-99 to Atlanta on Friday and 130-119 to Philadelphia on Saturday.

“Obviously, we miss (Hart), but there is no excuse for what we should be doing out there,” point guard Jalen Brunson said. “He’s a big part of what we do, but we gotta step up.”

Monday’s game marks the first meeting between New York and Detroit since the Knicks eliminated the Pistons in the first round of last year’s playoffs.

Detroit will be without two starters: forward Tobias Harris (left hip sprain) and center Jalen Duren (right ankle sprain). Despite those absences, the Pistons pulled out a 114-110 road win at Cleveland on Sunday.

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff adjusted by using a bigger lineup with Paul Reed and Isaiah Stewart starting at the power positions. Reserve two-way guard Daniss Jenkins was the difference-maker, scoring 21 points in the first half and hitting four clutch free throws in the final seconds.

“He was unbelievable,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s the trust factor. We talk about it all the time. We have 18 guys on our roster that we believe in. We have 18 guys that we know, if we put them in the game, can help us win. They know how to play Pistons basketball. They play unselfishly, with high spirit and the confidence to do what it takes to get it done.”

The Pistons’ reserves contributed 51 points, 18 rebounds, four blocks, and three steals.

“This is something we’ve been doing all year—staying together as a group and having that stay-ready mentality,” second-unit wing Javonte Green said.

Star guard Cade Cunningham delivered another strong performance with 27 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Cunningham has averaged 28.2 points, 11 assists, and 5.8 rebounds over the last five games.

The game on Monday kicks off a six-game homestand for the Eastern Conference leaders.

—Field Level Media/Reuters