Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks Prediction, Odds and Picks for Thursday, 02/19/26

This first game after the break will be an interesting test for the Pistons who will be without their leading rebounder Jalen Duren who is suspended after the brawl in the win over Charlotte. Detroit enters MSG with high expectations, they’ve beaten the Knicks by 31 and 38 points in the two meetings so far this year, Thursday’s meetings finishes the 3-game regular season series. Cade Cunningham represented the Pistons in LA over the weekend, but he didn’t exert too much energy so he should be well rested for this game. MSG is one of the tougher places to win at this season, what should give the Pistons optimism is the fact that they’ve covered in 4 of their last 5 visits.

The pair of 30+ point losses certainly sting if you’re a Knicks supporter, this is the final opportunity for Jalen Brunson and co. to get something in this match-up. No Duren down low certainly helps, KAT and Mitchell Robinson got plenty of time to rest ahead of this game, so the Knicks should have the edge in this area. That plus playing at home will be their calling cards in this game, New York has failed to cover only once in 6 games at MSG. You could argue they’re also the more in form team here with 10 wins in 12 outings and a 10-2 ATS record during this stretch.

It might sound counter intuitive to have the Knicks favored here after two bad outcomes in games earlier this season vs the Pistons, but the combination of Duren being out and the revenge factor makes the Knicks an intriguing bet here. Coming out the break it might take both sides to get accustomed to playing at a high level on a regular basis, I have slightly more faith in the Knicks who will be playing in familiar surroundings on Thursday. Lay the points with New York in this one.

Pistons vs Knicks prediction: Knicks -3.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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