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Pistons-Knicks Preview

Mar 3, 2010 - 5:33 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Detroit (21-38) at New York (20-39), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The New York Knicks' defense can't seem to slow teams down. The Detroit Pistons, though, have been extremely effective at slowing down all by themselves.

Following two more terrible defensive games, the Knicks look to bounce back against the offensively challenged Pistons on Wednesday night in a matchup pitting two of the league's worst teams.

Having lost 10 of its last 11, New York (20-39) continues to be hurt by an inability to play tough defense. The Knicks have allowed an average of 105.0 points this season - 111.6 over their last 18 games.

New York has given up 244 points over its last two contests, losing both following a 118-116 overtime win over Washington on Friday night.

Detroit (21-39) is one of the few offenses New York has been able to contain. The Knicks are 2-1 against the Pistons this season, holding them to 90.7 points per game and 40.5 percent shooting.

Detroit is ranked 29th in the league in scoring, averaging 92.6 points. Only league-worst New Jersey has a lower average (90.2).

The talent level the Knicks will now face is a far cry from what they had to contend with Monday night, when they lost 124-93 to Cleveland.

A desire to try and sign Cavaliers star LeBron James, among other high-profile players, this offseason is likely hurting New York in the short-term. The Knicks have gutted their roster to shed salary over the past two years with an eye toward a talent-laden class of free agents.

New York coach Mike D'Antoni wouldn't say if all the losing is worth it.

"I'll tell you next year," he said. "Right now it's pretty frustrating for everybody, but it's what we're doing."

The Knicks were without one of their most productive players, with Wilson Chandler missing the game due to personal reasons. Chandler, averaging 15.3 points and 5.2 rebounds, is also not expected to play Wednesday.

New York could have used his help on the boards against Cleveland, getting outrebounded 60-31.

In desperate need of size, the Knicks may soon have 6-foot-11 center Eddy Curry back in the lineup. Curry, limited to 10 games over the past two seasons due to a knee injury, practiced with the team Tuesday but isn't expected to play against the Pistons.

Rookie big man Jonas Jerebko has been one of Detroit's few bright spots, earning Eastern Conference rookie of the month honors for February. He had 16 points and 10 rebounds playing on his 23rd birthday Tuesday, but it wasn't enough for Detroit to avoid a fourth straight loss as the Pistons fell 105-100 at home to Boston.

Pistons center Ben Wallace, who left the game with a minor knee injury, missed all five of his free-throw attempts. He's 2 for 20 from the charity stripe in his last five games.

"Ben has been in this league for a long time, and he knows that he has to work his way out of this," coach John Kuester said of Wallace, whose career free-throw percentage is below 42. "It's certainly not a question of effort - he's the first one in the gym and the last one out. He hits 70 percent in practice, but he's got to go to the line and make them in the games."