The defending NBA champion New York Knicks are still searching for their first win of the 2026-27 season as they welcome the undefeated Detroit Pistons to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
It’s been a disappointing start for New York, which enters Tuesday at 0-3 after celebrating its first NBA championship in 53 years this past offseason. Detroit, meanwhile, has opened the season with three consecutive wins after finishing atop the Eastern Conference standings last year.
The Knicks suffered their latest setback on Sunday night, falling 111-102 to an Orlando Magic team playing without injured star Paolo Banchero. New York led by 10 points with just over nine minutes remaining before Orlando took control down the stretch.
Jalen Brunson finished with 28 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 22 points and 14 rebounds. OG Anunoby also scored 22, but the Knicks were outscored 40-27 in the fourth quarter as the Magic completed the comeback.
Detroit arrives in New York following a 106-93 road victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 26 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while John Collins contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Pistons never trailed against Philadelphia despite playing without starting center Jalen Duren, who suffered a hamstring injury during Friday’s victory over Miami. Detroit is also monitoring injuries to Ausar Thompson (ankle) and Isaiah Joe (hip).
Tuesday’s matchup is the first meeting between the teams since Detroit swept New York during the 2025-26 regular season.
Pistons vs. Knicks Odds Today
Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook lists New York as a 3.5-point home favorite despite its winless start:
Pistons vs. Knicks Prediction
Knicks Moneyline (-165): Three games into the new campaign, the Knicks are already facing some serious pressure. I expect a much better performance from New York on Tuesday night, especially after the way Sunday’s game against Orlando slipped away.
The Knicks had no business losing that game at home to a Magic team missing Banchero and playing without Jalen Suggs for much of the fourth quarter. New York led for most of the night before allowing Orlando to score 35 points over the final nine minutes.
Now the defending champions are staring at an 0-4 start, something that would have seemed almost unthinkable following last season’s championship run.
The Pistons come into tonight dealing with some significant injuries, most notably the absence of Duren, who averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds last season. Thompson’s ankle injury also may leave Detroit without one of its best perimeter defenders.
The Knicks have too much talent and experience to continue playing at this level, and I think the urgency of avoiding a fourth straight loss will be evident from the opening tip.
I’ll back New York to finally get into the win column, taking the moneyline rather than laying 3.5 points against a team that’s given them fits as of late.
- Best Bet: New York Knicks Moneyline (-165)
Pistons vs. Knicks Betting Splits
- Moneyline: Detroit has taken in 55% of all ML bets, but New York accounts for 61% of the handle.
- Spread: Knicks -3.5 has drawn 53% of spread wagers and 58% of the money wagered.
- Total: Over 218.5 has received 58% of the total bets and 73% of the handle.
Popular Player Props for DET-NYK
Jalen Brunson leads Tuesday’s most-bet player props at Hard Rock Bet:
- Jalen Brunson – Over 19.5 Points (20+ Points)
- Cade Cunningham – Over 23.5 Points
- Cade Cunningham – Over 19.5 Points (20+ Points)
- Karl-Anthony Towns – Over 14.5 Points (15+ Points)
- Duncan Robinson – Over 2.5 Threes Made
Pistons vs. Knicks Game Info
- đź“Ť Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
- đź“… Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
- ⏰ Tipoff: 8:00 PM ET
- đź“ş TV/Streaming: NBC, Peacock
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