The Detroit Pistons are feeling good after their opening night win over the Orlando Magic, but they have a much tougher challenge tonight on the road against the Knicks.
The Knicks destroyed the Pistons in the first preseason game of the season when Detroit couldn’t take care of the ball or make a shot, but that is all in the past now and the Pistons looked much better in their first regular season game against Orlando.
But the Knicks are a veteran team and better defensively than the Magic, so it’s going to be a challenge for the Pistons to start 2-0 with win over the Knicks.
This New York roster poses some distinct challenges for the Detroit Pistons, luckily, there are ways that they can overcome them and steal a game in Madison Square Garden in which they are 6.5 point underdogs.
Detroit Pistons: 3 biggest challenges against the Knicks and how to overcome them
Challenge #1: Take care of the ball
This is going to be a challenge in just about every game for the young Pistons, especially considering their main trio of guards are all in their early 20’s and going against a well-coached Knicks’ defense.
Yes, it was only preseason but the Pistons turned the ball over an alarming 22 times against the Knicks in their first meeting and will have little chance to win the game if we see a repeat of that performance.
How to overcome it
Detroit has to keep the ball moving against the Knicks and not try to dribble into the teeth of their defense, which is exactly what they want. Cade Cunningham has to be a little smarter with the ball and cut out the turnovers where he jumps in the air before he has a plan. He needs to stay on his feet, be patient and pass over the smaller Knicks’ guards.
The Pistons will be smaller, but should be quicker against the Knicks, so they need lots of movement off the ball in the half court and for the ball to keep moving around the perimeter, forcing the Knicks to defend outside of the paint. Cade and Ivey may have to settle for more jumpers in the half court to avoid getting caught in the trees of the Knicks’ defense.
Dribble less, pass more.