The New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons will resume their season against each other following the break. Check out our preview of this contest below.

Catch this game live on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 8:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Detroit Pistons (40-13, 18-7 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Cade Cunningham
  • Duncan Robinson
  • Ausar Thompson
  • Tobias Harris
  • Jalen Duren

The Pistons headed to the All-Star break on a three-game winning streak, which also included their 118-80 beatdown of the New York Knicks at home on Feb. 7. The only Eastern Conference team with at least 36 wins, the Pistons have dominated New York in two meetings, thus far this season. In the initial showdown, Detroit took down the Knicks at home as well, 121-90. 

Will the change of scenery in the third installment of this regular-season series impact the play of the Pistons? Maybe, but they are also 4-1 against the spread in their last five games at Madison Square Garden.

With the 1-2 All-Star punch of Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, Detroit should feel confident in beating New York anew.

And as a team, the Pistons are second in the league with a 108.6 defensive rating and first with a defensive 51.5 eFG%.

Home: New York Knicks (35-20, 21-7 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jalen Brunson
  • Josh Hart
  • Mikal Bridges
  • OG Anunoby
  • Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks closed out their schedule in the first half of the season by grabbing the Philadelphia 76ers by their collars and throwing them out the window in a 138-89 win on the road. That was a great pick-me-up victory for New York following a 137-134 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers at home.

The Knicks will also look a little different for Detroit, as they now have Jose Alvarado, who just went off for 26 points on the strength of eight 3-pointers in the Sixers game. He plays both ways, and his peskiness on defense (five steals vs. Philly) can help spell the difference this time around in favor of New York.

As a team, the Knicks are second in the league with a 119.5 offensive rating. In addition, they are 5-1 ATS in their last six games in Gotham.

Picks

Spread: New York Knicks (-4)
Over/Under: Under (222.5)