Sports

Actions

Knicks edge Pistons for fourth straight victory

Posted at 10:28 PM, Feb 08, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-09 09:55:22-05

DETROIT (AP) — Julius Randle scored 17 points, including a bank shot with 13.5 seconds left that helped the New York Knicks secure their fourth straight victory, 95-92 over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night.

The Knicks led 91-89 when Randle scored inside to push the lead to four. Replays showed Detroit’s Thon Maker appeared to take an arm to the face on the play, but it was not considered reviewable.

Christian Wood made a 3-pointer for Detroit to cut the lead to one, but Reggie Bullock of the Knicks made two free throws with 7.3 seconds left for the final margin.

Reggie Jackson missed a last-second 3-pointer that would have tied it.

The Pistons are a shell of the team that began the season in Detroit. Blake Griffin has been out because of left knee surgery, and the Pistons traded Andre Drummond to Cleveland on Thursday. Detroit’s rebounding was a problem without Drummond.

New York had 16 offensive rebounds to the Pistons’ three. With the score 91-89, the Knicks got offensive rebounds from Randle and Mitchell Robinson before Randle’s crucial basket.

Wayne Ellington scored 17 points for the Knicks, who are on their longest winning streak of the season.

Jackson had 20 points and nine assists.

TIP-INS

Knicks: Kadeem Allen (right foot) and Allonzo Trier (illness) did not play. ... Elfrid Payton had 10 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Pistons: Derrick Rose (left hip), Luke Kennard (knee), Markieff Morris (illness), Brandon Knight (left knee) and Svi Mykhailiuk (right hip) missed the game. ... Wood had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

NEWCOMER

John Henson, who came to Detroit in the trade for Drummond, scored 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting.

UP NEXT

Knicks: At Atlanta on Sunday night.

Pistons: Host Charlotte on Monday night.