The Detroit Pistons (3-0) and New York Knicks (0-3) will clash in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in New York City. The game will broadcast live on NBC and Peacock.
The Knicks are 3.5-point favorites over the Pistons on the spread, with the over/under set at 219.5 total points. The Knicks are -166 moneyline favorites to win outright, while the Pistons are listed as +141 underdogs to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Pistons vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, October 27.
Pistons vs Knicks Prediction
- Pistons vs Knicks pick: John Collins Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds (Play to 22.5)
My Pistons vs. Knicks best bet is John Collins to combine for over 21.5 points & rebounds. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
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Pistons vs Knicks Odds
- Pistons vs Knicks spread: Pistons +3.5 (-108), Knicks -3.5 (-112)
- Pistons vs Knicks over/under: 219.5 (-109o / -111u)
- Pistons vs Knicks moneyline: Pistons +141, Knicks -166
Pistons vs Knicks NBA Preview
A budding rivalry renewed. This series has been tense since their 2025 playoff series, where the Knicks won a close six-gamer, even while getting outscored in Games 2-6 en route to their first Eastern Conference Finals bid in a quarter century.
Last year, the Pistons circled every game against the Knicks on their calendar and proceeded to blow them out three times, outscoring the 2026 champions by a total of 84 points.
Unfortunately, the Pistons squandered a home Game 7 opportunity to meet New York in the East Finals, not giving people the playoff series many looked forward to.
But this season, both teams are firmly in the title picture, even as they're on opposite sides of the start to 2026-27, with the Pistons undefeated and the Knicks winless.
Injury-wise, it's not a light report by any means.
For the Pistons, Jalen Duren (hamstring) is out, meaning Duren will continue his streak of not playing against the Knicks. The last time he did was in the 2025 playoffs.
So yes, that means Detroit blew out the Knicks each time last season without Duren even active.
Ausar Thompson (ankle) and Isaiah Joe (hip) are questionable, although both were present at shootaround Tuesday morning.
For the Knicks, Jose Alvarado (ankle) is out.
Pistons vs Knicks Pick, Betting Analysis
John Collins is the main reason the Pistons aren't absolutely screwed without Duren.
Tobias Harris is a very solid NBA player, but Collins makes more sense with this roster, as does Harris with the Spurs when he eventually suits up.
Collins adds more three-point volume, rim finishing, rebounding and overall verticality — and while Paul Reed is obviously getting more run without JD, it feels like the books have caught up to him, whereas Collins is still being underrated.
Without Duren last game, Collins went for 16 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 7-of-15 in Philly.
The Knicks don't have Mitchell Robinson anymore, and while they're ninth in defense in their tiny sample, they're dead last in offense, and Collins should have plenty of opportunities to rebound. He may lead the team in boards again tonight (Reed had eight last game).
Pick: John Collins Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds (-112)
Pistons vs Knicks Betting Trends
