After a tough loss to the Washington Wizards on Monday, the Detroit Pistons (4-5) defeated the New York Knicks (1-7) at home 122-102. The Knicks kept it close heading into the second half but after a 24 to 6 run by the Pistons in the third quarter, the Knicks were never able to fully recover the onslaught the Pistons brought to tonight’s game. The Pistons were unselfish tonight, dishing out a team total of 37 assists on 44 baskets.
For Detroit, Andre Drummond led the charge once again for a depleted Pistons team and scored 27 points to go along with 12 rebounds and a season-high seven assists. Andre Drummond leads the NBA in rebounds per game so far this season, averaging 18.5 rebounds for the season. Tonight’s game is the first game Drummond failed to reach at least 20 rebounds since October 28th in a win against the Indiana Pacers.
Pistons small forward Tony Snell, acquired via trade with the Milwaukee Bucks during the off-season, scored a season-high 24 points in tonight’s win. Snell started the game on fire and kept it going, going a perfect nine for nine from the floor, including six for six from three-point range. Pistons power forward Markieff Morris did an admirable job filling in for injured Blake Griffin (hamstring, knee), scoring 22 points, four rebounds, and five assists in 29 minutes of action.
Knicks power forward Julius Randle, coming off an off-season in which he signed a new three year 63 million dollar deal, scored 20 points for the Knicks in a losing effort. Former Piston and Markieff’s twin brother Marcus Morris Sr. scored 18 points for the Knicks in tonight’s game. Morris played two seasons in Detroit. In the two seasons he spent in the Motor City, Morris averaged 14 points per game.
The Pistons have had a rough start to the season, losing All-Star power forward Blake Griffin before the season started, and losing starting point guard Reggie Jackson (lower back) and Derrick Rose (hamstring) during the season. The effort Andre Drummond has shown has been spectacular so far, and if the Pistons want to remain afloat in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons will need to continue to lean on Andre.
The Pistons play their next game on the road against the Indiana Pacers this Friday. The Pistons have beaten the Pacers twice so far already and will be looking to win their third straight game against the depleted Pacers.
