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Anthony, Knicks pay a visit to Pistons

Jan 7, 2012 - 4:03 PM (Sports Network) - Carmelo Anthony is the NBA's second-leading scorer and looks to remain hot tonight, when the New York Knicks take on the Detroit Pistons from The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Anthony is currently battling a sore hip and is averaging 29.1 points on the season. Miami's LeBron James leads the league with 29.9 ppg.

New York got 37 points from Anthony in Friday's 99-96 victory over the winless Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center. Anthony, who is averaging 35 points over the past three games, buried a three-pointer with 15.5 seconds to go to keep the Wizards at bay, while Amare Stoudemire recorded a double-double with 23 points and 12 boards for New York, which ended a two-game slide and won for the third time this season (3-4).

"We were down 16, but we were not going to not play hard," said Stoudemire. "In the second quarter we took it upon ourselves to try and get the energy going and we did that."

Tyson Chandler had 12 points and 15 rebounds for New York.

Detroit has lost two in a row and fell to 2-5 on the young season following last night's 96-73 loss at Philadelphia in its home opener.

The Pistons, playing without guards Ben Gordon and Rodney Stuckey, were led by Greg Monroe's season high-tying 22 points. They fell to 0-3 on the road this season. Brandon Knight, Jason Maxiell and Will Bynum had 10 points apiece.

"They have one of the top three benches in the league," said Pistons coach Lawrence Frank. "[Thaddeus] Young is game changer and Lou [Williams] can score with anyone. It's gone from good to great with Evan [Turner's] improvement."

Gordon (personal) and Stuckey (groin) are questionable for Saturday. Gordon is averaging a team-high 16.2 points per game.

New York won two of three meetings with Detroit last season and has taken seven of the past 10 matchups between the teams. The Knicks, however, have lost 13 of the past 17 games at The Palace. Pistons guard Tayshaun Prince averaged 21.0 points in three games against the Knicks last season, while Stoudemire posted 30.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in those three games.