DETROIT (Interstat) — Cade Cunningham recorded 29 points and 13 assists to propel the Detroit Pistons to a 121-90 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons seized control with a 34-point second quarter, building a 64-54 halftime lead they never relinquished. Detroit’s defense stifled New York, forcing 20 turnovers while blocking 11 shots and recording 12 steals. The Knicks, who shot just 42.1% from the field, were led by Jalen Brunson’s 25 points. Detroit improved to 27-9, while New York fell to 24-13. An announced crowd of 20,032 watched the Pistons win their second straight game.

DETROIT (Interstat) — In a commanding display of offensive efficiency and defensive dominance, the Detroit Pistons delivered a decisive 121-90 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night at Little Caesars Arena. The game, witnessed by a crowd of 20,032, was never in serious doubt after a blistering second-quarter run by the home team. The Pistons, now 27-9, showcased their status as one of the Eastern Conference’s elite, while the Knicks, falling to 24-13, saw a three-game slide extend on the road. The most critical sequence of the contest unfolded in the second quarter, transforming a competitive game into a lopsided affair. Leading 45-43 with just over six minutes remaining in the half, the Pistons unleashed a 19-2 run to close the quarter, holding the Knicks to a single field goal during that span. The surge was fueled by stifling defense and a balanced attack. Detroit forced five New York turnovers in the frame, converting them into easy transition opportunities, while also clamping down to limit the Knicks to 38.5% shooting in the quarter. Cade Cunningham, the orchestrator of the Pistons’ league-leading offense, was the central figure in the breakout. He tallied 29 points and 13 assists in just 29 minutes, consistently breaking down the New York defense and finding open teammates. His playmaking set the tone, as seven different Pistons scored during the decisive run, including a trio of three-pointers. The period ended with an exclamation point as Ausar Thompson finished an alley-oop from Cunningham at the buzzer, sending Detroit into halftime with a commanding 64-54 lead. The Knicks, who had kept pace early behind Jalen Brunson’s 25 points, unraveled completely after halftime. Detroit’s defense intensified, recording 12 steals and 11 blocks for the game. The Pistons held New York to a season-low 15 points in the third quarter, extending their lead to 89-75 and effectively putting the game out of reach. New York’s offensive rating of 92.2 on 98 possessions underscored a night of profound struggle against a swarming Pistons unit. Beyond Cunningham’s stellar performance, Detroit received contributions across the roster. Javonte Green provided 17 points off the bench, while Ausar Thompson filled the stat sheet with 10 points, seven rebounds and disruptive defense. Jaden Ivey added 16 points, and the Pistons’ depth was on full display as Daniss Jenkins (12 points, four assists) and Marcus Sasser (8 points in five minutes) contributed to the rout. For New York, only Brunson and Miles McBride, who scored 17 points, reached double figures with any efficiency. The team shot just 42.1% from the field, committed 20 turnovers leading to 27 Pistons points, and were thoroughly outworked on the glass, particularly on the offensive end where Detroit held a 14-5 advantage. The Pistons’ offensive execution was nearly flawless, posting a stellar offensive rating of 127.9. They shot 54.7% from the field and 51.6% from three-point range, dishing out 32 assists on 47 made baskets. The performance validated their position as a pregame favorite, overcoming a statistical projection that gave them a 70.9% chance to win. The Knicks, who entered as slight 2.5-point favorites on the betting line, head home to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, searching for answers to halt their skid. The Pistons, winners of two straight, host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, looking to continue their momentum at the top of the conference standings. The total score of 211 fell well under the over/under line of 235, a testament to Detroit’s defensive control after the first quarter.

Preview: Knicks at Pistons, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 DETROIT (Interstat) — A marquee Eastern Conference matchup tips off Monday night at Little Caesars Arena as the Detroit Pistons host the New York Knicks. The Pistons (26-9), among the league’s top teams, look to continue their strong start against a Knicks squad (24-12) aiming to rebound from a recent skid. Detroit enters having won seven of its last 10, including a 114-110 road victory over Cleveland on Sunday. Star guard Cade Cunningham led the way with 27 points, six rebounds and seven assists, continuing an All-NBA caliber season where he has averaged a near triple-double over his last 10 games. New York arrives after a 130-119 home loss to Philadelphia on Saturday, its second defeat in three games. Despite the loss, center Karl-Anthony Towns posted 23 points and 14 rebounds. Towns has been a force, recording double-doubles in eight of his last 10 contests, including a 36-point, 16-rebound performance against Atlanta on Dec. 27. The matchup inside will be critical, with Towns’ scoring and rebounding prowess testing a Detroit frontcourt that includes rookie Ronald Holland, who grabbed 10 rebounds in just 18 minutes Sunday. The backcourt battle features Cunningham’s dynamic playmaking against Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who scored 31 points in the loss to the 76ers. Detroit won the season’s first meeting, 112-105, in Boston on Dec. 15. Cunningham had 32 points and 10 assists in that game. The Knicks will need improved defensive focus after allowing an average of 127.7 points in their last three games. The Pistons, meanwhile, have shown offensive firepower, scoring 128 or more points in four of their last six wins. Following this game, New York returns home to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. Detroit continues a brief homestand against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.