Knicks Takeaways from Saturday's 95-92 win over the Pistons, including their first four-game win streak

Wayne Ellington had another strong night

2/9/2020, 2:28 AM
Feb 8, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Bruce Brown (6) drives to the basket as New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) defends during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports / Tim Fuller
Feb 8, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Bruce Brown (6) drives to the basket as New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) defends during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports / Tim Fuller

The Knicks trailed by as many as 13 points, but came back to win their fourth straight game, beating the Detroit Pistons 95-92. >> Box Score

Five things to know from Saturday's game

1) The Knicks started Saturday's game very slowly as a team. In the first quarter, New York shot just 35.0 percent from the floor, while turning the ball over seven times. The Pistons, meanwhile, finished the quarter on an 8-0 run and took a 28-17 lead into the second. The Pistons increased their lead to 13 points in the second quarter, but the Knicks closed the second on a 14-7 Knicks run to get back within two points at half time.

In the second half, the two sides continued to trade blows, but the Knicks scored the final six points of the quarter to tie the game at 67-67 heading into the fourth. In the final period, the Pistons pushed out to an 84-77 lead with 6:23 to go, but the Knicks refused to go down quietly, as Wayne Ellington tied the game with a three-ball with 4:43 on the clock. With the game tied entering the final two minutes, Elfrid Payton and Julius Randle made a couple of big buckets down the stretch to give New York the win.

 

2) In his second game back after missing nine games due to an ankle injury, RJ Barrett showed signs of rust. The rookie struggled with his shot all night, going just 1-of-8 from the floor for three points, a -15 on the night. With Marcus Morris now a Clipper, the Knicks will need Barrett to increase his scoring, and Friday's game wasn't a good showing. 

3) Julius Randle didn't have the most efficient game in the world, but he came up with some clutch shots for the Knicks in the final corner. In all, Randle finished with 17 points on 7-17 shooting, while grabbing seven rebounds as well. 

4) Wayne Ellington had his second straight strong night. Coming off the bench, Ellington scored 17 points, a season high, while knocking down three three-pointers. There have been reports of the Knicks possibly buying Ellington out, but his play of late may change the team's thinking. 

5) The Pistons were without a handful of players due to illness, including Derrick Rose. Playing shorthanded, the Pistons were led by Reggie Jackson's 20 points, while forward Christian Wood added 17 points.

Highlights

What's next

The Knicks are back in action for the second half of a back-to-back on Sunday night, as they take on the Hawks in Atlanta. Tip-off is set for 6:00PM.

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