Knicks vs Pistons Predictions & Odds (Summer League, July 11)

• The Detroit Pistons are slight 1-point favorites vs the New York Knicks as both teams start NBA Summer League action on Friday
• Neither team has a Round 1 pick from this year’s draft on its roster
• See below for the updated Knicks vs Pistons odds, plus my picks and predictions for Friday

---

It’s only a rematch in name, as the Detroit Pistons will take on the New York Knicks as both teams kick off Summer League play in Las Vegas Friday.

New York bounced the Pistons in Round 1 of the NBA playoffs last season, but that’s all in the distant rearview now, with teams focusing on the development of youngsters hoping to crack a spot in the rotation for the 2025-26 campaign.

While there are no blue chippers along these rosters, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to play for in the desert.

Check our Knicks vs Pistons odds, and our predictions below for this Friday matchup from Cox Pavilion in Vegas. Action tips at 6pm ET, with ESPN+ and NBA TV providing broadcast coverage.

Knicks vs Pistons Odds

Detroit is the slightest 1-point favorite and -118 on the moneyline. New York is -104 on the moneyline as the underdog, and the total was set at 172.5.

Odds as of July 11 at FanDuel. Get the FanDuel promo code before signing up.

Kolek Battling to Back Brunson

While he didn’t play much, Knicks guard Tyler Kolek will be one of the few guys in Vegas who can say they appeared in the playoffs this season.

The 6-foot-3 guard played the most of any Knicks rookie last year — which, in a Tom Thibodeau rotation, amounted to just over seven minutes a game.

Tyler Kolek Summer League hoops soon pic.twitter.com/dqI9yLqgWr

— Dylan Backer (@DylanBackerESM) July 8, 2025

But, other than Jalen Brunson, Kolek is the lone other PG on the Knicks roster, so a backup spot could be his to win if he shows out in the desert.

Aside from Kolek, big man Ariel Hukporti got some work in last year as well, so that appears like a sturdy pick-and-roll tandem for New York.

The Knicks are wing deep, but Frenchman Pacome Dadiet, a first-round pick from 2024, and Kevin McCullar Jr, who played just four games last season as he recovered from ACL surgery, could carve a spot out with a big Vegas trip.

Holland Carving Out Role with Detroit

Ron Holland is likely the name you’ll recognize most with Detroit, as he played a role in the Pistons’ turnaround campaign.

The Pistons are hoping his 3-point shooting has improved, which would give him more chances to stay on the floor. Cade Cunningham is locked into the point, but Summer League is a chance for a guy like Holland to show that playmaking and initiating offense could be part of his repertoire.

Ron Holland II is the last Pistons player in the gym after practice today. And of course he’s working with Fred Vinson on the jumper. pic.twitter.com/cLaY4zvctO

— Hunter Patterson (@HunterPatterson) July 10, 2025

The only Detroit draft pick this year is Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier, and he’ll get his chance to show he can be in the guard mix, though Detroit is deep.

Cade, Jaden Ivey coming back from injury, Caris LeVert, Marcus Sasser and Duncan Robinson all figure to be ahead of the rookie, and whoever can slide in the Malik Beasley role seamlessly should get it.

Knicks vs Pistons Predictions

The Pistons might have better continuity, considering they’re still with JB Bickerstaff as head coach, so there’s some consistency there over a New York side that fired Thibodeau this offseason, replacing him with veteran Mike Brown.

However, New York should be under better control with Kolek running the show, and that should help the Knicks get better shots and create offense.

Brown might not be Thibs, but he should be able to install a decent defense that can make life difficult for the Pistons on their opening night in Summer League.

• Knicks +1.0 (-108 at FanDuel)