Knicks +2.5: market backs MSG response despite 0-3 start, with Duren out for Detroit
Our pick
odds are estimates- Medium confidenceWonPoint SpreadNew York Knicks +2.5@ 1.44
Selections are named as on a bookmaker's slip, so they are easy to find. Add one to your ticket to keep it with the rest of your picks and see how it settles.
Full analysis
New York sit 13th in the East at 0-3, scoring 305 and conceding 324, and have lost four of their last five. Detroit lead the conference at 3-0 (355 for, 317 against) and won 106-93 at Philadelphia last time out.
Despite that gap in form, bookmakers still make the Knicks home favourites by a few points. One reason is that Detroit are without starting centre Jalen Duren (hamstring), with Ausar Thompson and Isaiah Joe both game-time decisions, while New York are missing only Jose Alvarado. As defending champions at MSG trying to avoid 0-4, the Knicks also have clear motivation, which makes taking the points a steadier angle than backing either side outright.
Confidence is Medium, not High, because the Pistons' unbeaten start and their three heavy wins over New York last season point the other way. The early-season samples are also too small to settle the conflict. It is not lower because the sharp market leans to New York, and the extra 2.5 points means a narrow Detroit win still lands the bet.
This prediction expresses statistical probability, not certainty. Odds shown are an estimate for illustration only, not a live bookmaker price. SharpTips does not accept bets. 18+. Please gamble responsibly.
Related articles
All articles →
Knicks vs Pistons Preview: Detroit Visit Struggling New York
The 0-3 Knicks host the unbeaten Pistons at Madison Square Garden. We look at form, injuries and the numbers ahead of Wednesday's NBA game.
Charlotte Hornets vs Detroit Pistons Prediction and Preview
Our preview of Hornets vs Pistons in the NBA: form, standings, home and away numbers and the injury news ahead of the 00:30 UK tip-off on Tuesday 3 November.
Brooklyn Nets vs Detroit Pistons Prediction and Preview
Winless Brooklyn host East leaders Detroit in an NBA Cup group game. We look at form, standings, team news and the numbers behind this Friday night preview.
Recommended predictions
The strongest picks we have published for the coming matches.
Fenerbahçevs
Liverpool
Wrexhamvs
MiddlesbroughWhy bettors use SharpTips
Every pick is timestamped at least 12 hours before the match and never edited afterwards.
Wins and losses are settled automatically from the final score and stay public.
Form, league table, season statistics, injuries and line-ups for each match.
Bookmaker prices are the baseline - we look for concrete reasons to side with or against them.
Selections are written in full, exactly as they appear on a betting slip.
No pick is forced onto a fixture - where the data is thin we publish nothing.