Knicks at Pistons preview: Defense by committee for New York’s Porzingis

The New York Knicks won their fifth game in six tries last night by defeating the Boston Celtics at home, 102-93. The win moves the Knicks to 17-14 on the season.

MVP hopeful Michael Beasley (off the bench) carried New York with 32 points, including 28 in the second half, and 12 rebounds while Kristaps Porzingis struggled mightily logging just a single point on 0-for-11 shooting.

Boding well for Detroit, New York is 0-3 on the road during the second night of a back-to-back giving up point totals of 112, 115 and 117.

Game Vitals

When: December 22nd at 7 p.m.
Where: Little Caesars Arena - Detroit, MI
Watch: Fox Sports Detroit

Analysis

Tobias Harris scored 31 points during the Pistons 111-107 win over New York on Oct. 21. The first week of the season saw Harris proficiently used as the screener in the PNR.

In New York, there was great success:

Above examples the advantages of Harris as the roll, slip or pop man. Since that first week, though, the Pistons have sparingly used this seemingly advantageous look.

Jon Leuer, Anthony Tolliver and Stanley Johnson all took turns in an effort to check Kristaps Porzingis. Johnson—especially early on—took some hardy lumps:

Zinger finished with 33 points.

Also of note during their first meeting was the ease of which Enes Kanter positioned himself against Andre Drummond:

Kanter recorded 17 and 10.

On a complete side note, how on Earth is this not a bigger story? It’s been known for a while but usually gets easily swept aside. Unless I’m completely missing something, it’s a horrible situation.

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What to watch for

In his second year in the Big Apple, nine-year pro Courtney Lee is arguably having his best season. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard is averaging 13 points per game while connecting on 43 percent of three-pointers.

Lee will use the pick-and-roll often but the back-breakers are his corner threes. Either in the half court or in transition, Lee loves to lurk in the left corner:

Projected lineups

New York

Jarrett Jack, Courtney Lee, Enes Kanter, Kristpas Porzingis, Lance Thomas

Detroit

Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Andre Drummond, Reggie Bullock, Tobias Harris

Prediction

Pistons rebound after the Dallas Disaster with a well-earned win.

Knicks 100, Pistons 104