Pistons vs. Knicks: NBA Prediction, Picks and Prop Bets (Oct. 27)

Knicks vs. Pistons Best Bets at a Glance

• Knicks 1st Quarter Spread -1.5 (-106)
• OG Anunoby Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds (-114)

The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks square off at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night in an intriguing Eastern Conference matchup.

Detroit has been one of the NBA’s hottest teams out of the gate, opening the season 3-0, while New York enters at 0-3 after a frustrating start to its title defense. The Pistons also had plenty of success in this matchup last season, sweeping all three regular-season meetings against the Knicks.

With Detroit looking to stay unbeaten and New York trying to get into the win column, let’s break down the best Knicks-Pistons bets and player props for Tuesday’s game.

Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. Bets in this article may be pulled from our other NBA content.

Knicks vs. Pistons NBA Picks, Props and Prediction

Knicks 1st Quarter Spread -1.5 (-106)

The New York Knicks have epitomized the term championship hangover so far this season, going 0-3, with a nine-point home loss to the Paolo Banchero-less Orlando Magic last time out.

A nationally televised home game against another East contender might set the stage perfectly for New York to come out on fire tonight, which puts me on this market.

Even with the 0-3 start, the Knicks have a +15.0 first-quarter net rating this season. They won the first quarter by seven points versus the Magic, by one at the Boston Celtics and by two against the Philadelphia 76ers in the season opener. It’s been the other three quarters that have been the issue.

With the Knicks supremely motivated to right the ship tonight, I think they’ll come out with force and aggression right from the jump. The Detroit Pistons, meanwhile, might be a little gassed as this is the final game of a road trip that has spanned from Miami to Philly to NYC over the last four days.

The Knicks to win the first quarter by at least two points is my favorite way to bet this game.

OG Anunoby Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds (-114)

Although Detroit has a good defense, they’re getting torched by power forwards so far this year.

Enter OG Anunoby.

With the caveat that we’re obviously dealing with small sample sizes, the Pistons are letting up the most points per game to PFs (33.7) as well as the eighth-most rebounds per night to the position (11.9).

Anunoby has totaled 25 and 30 PR over his past two outings, and he’s played at least 32 minutes in all three of New York’s games.

In a superb matchup and set for big minutes, Anunoby can clear 21.5 PR tonight.

NBA Betting Frequently Asked Questions

What is the point spread in NBA betting?

The point spread is a handicap applied to the favored team to level the playing field. For example, if the Lakers are -6.5 against the Celtics, the Lakers must win by 7 or more points for a bet on them to pay out. A bet on the Celtics wins if Boston wins outright or loses by 6 points or fewer.

What does the moneyline mean in NBA betting?

A moneyline bet is a straight-up wager on which team wins — no spread involved. Odds use American format: a favorite is listed with a minus sign (e.g., -180), meaning a wager of $180 would win $100. An underdog carries a plus sign (e.g., +155), meaning a $100 bet would return $155 profit.

What is an over/under (total) bet in the NBA?

FanDuel will set a projected combined score for both teams. You bet whether the actual total points will go Over or Under that number. For example, if the total is 224.5, an Over bet wins if both teams combine for 225 or more points.

What are NBA player props?

Player prop bets focus on individual statistical performances rather than game outcomes. Common NBA props include points scored, rebounds, assists, three-pointers made, steals, and combined stat lines (e.g., Points + Rebounds + Assists). You bet whether the player goes Over or Under the sportsbook's posted line.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.