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Knicks vs Pistons Predictions & Picks for Eastern Conference Showdown (Feb 6)

Chris Wright

By Chris Wright in NBA Basketball

Published:


Cade Cunningham leads Detroit
Feb 3, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) argues with official Jacyn Goble (68) after being called for a foul against the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
  • The Knicks are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite, offering significant value on the short -1.5 spread.
  • Contrarian bettors should look to the Under 221.5, as the Knicks have cashed the Under in 80% of their last 10 games as favorites
  • Our analysis offers the best betting advice for Knicks at Pistons

The New York Knicks are slight road favorites tonight in an Eastern Conference showdown at Detroit. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm, ET (Amazon Prime Video and local coverage on MSG).

The Knicks (33-18) are rolling, winners of eight straight, a streak that includes three road victories.

The Pistons (37-13) have the best record in the Eastern Conference. They blew out the Knicks 121-90 on Jan. 5.

The critical variable for handicappers remains the availability of Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, currently questionable with an eye injury. His status will heavily dictate the closing line, forcing bettors to evaluate New York’s depth against a Detroit home underdog eager to correct course.

Knicks vs. Pistons Prediction & Best Bet

With the uncertainty surrounding Towns, the smartest angles rely on specific situational trends rather than roster speculation.

The Pick: New York Knicks -1.5 (-108) at DraftKings Sportsbook

Smart money favors the road team’s consistency against the number. The strongest trend in this matchup centers on New York’s reliability when laying points. The Knicks are 7-0 ATS as a favorite over their last seven games.

New York is executing disciplined basketball, boasting a 3-1 straight-up record on the road in their last four contests. While the Pistons are 7-1 ATS record as an underdog in their last eight, the recent comparative performance against the Wizards — New York’s 31-point blowout versus Detroit’s defensive collapse — suggests a disparity in current form. Even if Towns sits, New York’s wing rotation, anchored by OG Anunoby and Bridges, possesses the length to disrupt a Pistons offense dependent on Cunningham’s creation.

New York’s ability to contain the same offense that torched Detroit in January highlights a defensive volatility that favors the Knicks in this spot.

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The Pick: Under 221.5 (-112) at FanDuel Sportsbook

When the Knicks are favored, game scripts typically decelerate. The statistical trends overwhelmingly point toward a defensive grind rather than a shootout.

  • The Over has hit in just 2 of the Knicks’ last 10 games as a favorite, indicating an 80% success rate for the Under in this spot.
  • The Over has failed to cash in Detroit’s last 4 home games against top-10 scoring defenses.

New York’s defensive scheme is designed to stifle inferior opponents. If they control the tempo, Detroit will find it difficult to push the aggregate score past 221.5.

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Best Player Prop: Mikal Bridges Over 15.5 Points (-104) at BetMGM

Mikal Bridges has found an offensive rhythm, coming off a high-volume performance against Washington. His points line remains approachable at 15.5. The Pistons have shown vulnerability defending the wing, and Bridges should see increased usage if New York looks to stretch Detroit’s perimeter defense.

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  • Knicks Cover Consistency: New York is 7-0 ATS as a favorite in their last seven outings.
  • Road Resilience: The Knicks are 3-1 SU on the road over their last four games.
  • Under Trend: The Over has cashed in only 2 of the Knicks’ last 10 games as a favorite.
  • Pistons Home Struggles: The Over has failed to hit in each of the last 4 Pistons games at home against top-10 scoring defenses.

Public Betting

The NBA public betting sentiment reveals a distinct split: the public aligns with the spread but diverges sharply on the total.

Spread & Moneyline: Backing the Favorite

The market shows growing confidence in New York covering the short number.

  • Spread: The Knicks are drawing 61.0% of the handle on 57.1% of tickets.
  • Moneyline: Splits are similar, with New York taking 60.1% of the cash and 57.2% of bets.

The slightly higher money percentage suggests larger wagers are comfortable laying the points with the road team, aligning with our prediction.

The Total: A Contrarian Opportunity

The Total market offers a prime “fade the public” scenario. Bettors are heavily anticipating a high-scoring game, likely biased by New York’s recent 132-point outburst.

  • The Over: Capturing 87.0% of bets and 83.3% of the money.
  • The Under: Only 13.0% of bets and 16.7% of the money.

With nearly 90% of the public on the Over, the Under 221.5 becomes a quintessential contrarian play. New York’s defensive tendencies and a potential slowdown in pace make fading this consensus a high-value proposition.

Knicks vs Pistons Team Stats

StatisticNew YorkDetroit
Points Per Game118.2117.5
Points Allowed112.1110.3
FG Percentage47.2%47.9%
3-Point Percentage38.0%34.8%
3-Point Attempts39.831.7

Knicks vs Pistons Injury Report & Impact

Player NamePositionInjuryStatusFantasy/Betting Impact
Karl-Anthony TownsC-FEyeQuestionableAbsence lowers NYK ceiling; boosts usage for Brunson/Bridges.
Jalen DurenCKneeDay To DayAbsence hurts interior D; opens paint for NYK slashers.
Josh HartGUndisclosedQuestionableLoss of rebounding affects transition game.
Tobias HarrisFHipDay To DayRemoves reliable 3rd option; more defensive pressure on Cunningham.
Miles McBrideGAnkleOutShortens NYK guard rotation.
Dario ŠarićF-CN/ADay To DayFurther depletes DET frontcourt depth.

If Jalen Duren sits, Detroit loses its primary rim protector, inviting aggressive drives from Bridges and Anunoby. If Towns is out, expect the Knicks to lean further into a slow-paced, defensive game plan, validating the Under 221.5.

Knicks vs Pistons Odds

The betting market reflects a tight contest, with the Knicks emerging as slight favorites after significant line movement.

Bet TypeNew York KnicksDetroit Pistons
Spread-1.5 (-108)+1.5 (-112)
Moneyline-118-101
Total PointsOver 221.5 (-108)Under 221.5 (-112)

Odds as of February 06, 2026, from consensus sportsbooks.

The line has swung 3.5 points in New York’s favor after the Pistons opened as -2 favorites. This shift likely accounts for the uncertainty surrounding Jalen Duren’s knee and the contrasting performances against Washington. The Total has ticked down from an opener of 222.5 to 221.5, signaling sharp money respecting the defensive capabilities of both rosters.

Implied Winning Probabilities (Vig-Free)

  • New York Knicks: 51.9%
  • Detroit Pistons: 48.1%

Payout Scenarios

  • A $20 moneyline bet on the Knicks (-118) returns a profit of $16.95.
  • A $20 moneyline bet on the Pistons (-101) returns a profit of $19.80.
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Chris Wright

A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Chris Wright is an Evergreen and AI editor for Saturday Down South, Saturday Tradition, Crossing Broad, Sports Betting Dime and ESNY.

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