Pistons-Knicks Preview
(Sports Network) - The New York Knicks will try to bounce back from their first loss under interim coach Mike Woodson when they begin a key three-game homestand against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night.
New York had won five straight under Woodson, who took over after Mike D'Antoni resigned on March 14, before stumbling 96-79 at Toronto on Friday thanks to a terrible offensive effort. The Knicks shot just 37.6 and suffered through their worst scoring effort since the second game of the season.
Amare Stoudemire scored 17 points to pace New York in the setback while Steve Novak had 15 points. Carmelo Anthony scored 12 on 6-of-15 shooting and Jeremy Lin had six points on 3-of-9 from the floor.
"It wasn't just Carmelo, everybody was missing open shots," said Woodson. "We have to get through to the team that when we are not making shots, we have to do something else, like play defense."
The recent run by the Knicks has turned the Atlantic Division into a three- horse race again with the Sixers trying to hold off Boston, which is 1 1/2 games off the pace after losing in Philadelphia on Friday, and New York, which is four games back.
The Knicks, who are 14-10 at Madison Square Garden, will also face Milwaukee and Orlando on their residency. They are just one-half game in front of the Bucks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Detroit, which is kicking off a four-game road trip, has dropped four straight, including a 88-73 loss to Miami in Auburn Hills on Friday.
Rookie Brandon Knight nailed four three-pointers en route to 18 points for the Pistons, while Tayshaun Prince had 11 points.
The Heat outscored Detroit 46-26 in the paint and tallied 27 points off 23 Pistons turnovers.
"We have to start the game off better," said Knight. "It's really all just about effort and doing it as a collective unit."
Guard Rodney Stuckey sat out with a sore left big toe against Miami and his status for tonight is unknown.
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