National Basketball Association roundup: Pistons blow big lead but beat Knicks

The Detroit Pistons watched a 27-point lead slip away on national television before a trio of 3-pointers edged them back from the brink of disaster, eventually leading to a 111-105 over the New York Knicks on Thursday. Andre Drummond had 17 points and 13 rebounds for Detroit. Anthony Tolliver made a late-clock triple on the next possession to retake the lead for the hosts, but that was just prelude to two game-icing shots from point guard Reggie Jackson.

The Knicks have suffered four double-digit defeats during their swoon and also played poorly in Tuesday’s 97-89 loss to the Boston Celtics.

According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Pistons are favored in this game, as they are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Knicks.

Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points for the Lakers, who’d lost 10 straight before beating the Timberwolves and Pelicans this week.

“I don’t think we offered any resistance in the first half”, Afflalo said.

Knicks: Afflalo scored 19 points in the second half, and Langston Galloway had 12 in the fourth quarter.

“Everybody plays to play 48 minutes a game”, Johnson said, who’s seeing an increased role at least partially thanks to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s continued absence.

“I knew I was gonna walk into heavy minutes”, Johnson said.

Kyle Lowry had 30 points, and DeMar DeRozan had 29, helping Toronto break a five-game win streak by Portland.

As Van Gundy’s frustration level grows, the impetus is on Jackson and Andre Drummond, the team’s best players, to play better defense.

The Pistons (27-24) were in complete control for the entirety of the game’s first 24 minutes, jumping out to a 9-0 lead and eventually running up a 49-22 advantage late in the second quarter.

Tomorrow night, it’s Detroit at Indiana.

He was 7-of-12 from the field (1-2 from behind the arc) and 7-of-8 from the free throw line, in addition to his nine rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Porzingis missed his first three shots, including two easy ones – an open 10-footer and missing wildly on a driving layup, when he lost balance.

If the Knicks do buy, don’t expect Jackson to hurt the future cap space of a 23-28 team that likely would be one-and-done in the National Basketball Association playoffs. It wasn’t the best overall game for the Most Improved Player candidate, but his 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc was efficient and his 21 points were very meaningful to the win. Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy shot down a trade rumor involving PG Brandon Jennings and Brooklyn PF Thaddeus Young.