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Pistons look to take advantage of hapless Knicks

Jan 13, 2008 - 2:12 PM Detroit (28-9) at New York (9-26) 7:00 pm EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Perhaps moving closer to a coaching change, the New York Knicks face another difficult task Sunday when they host the Detroit Pistons.

The New York Daily News on Saturday reported that Knicks owner James Dolan is finally running out of patience with coach-general manager Isiah Thomas and is planning to replace him before the end of the season.

According to the report, Dolan has told confidants he realizes a coaching change needs to be made.

Thomas, who signed a contract extension worth a reported $24 million 10 months ago, has been the constant source of criticism the past year. Fans have called for his firing on a nightly basis at Madison Square Garden.

The jeers have been brought on by a terrible on-court product, with the Knicks owning the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference and losing nine of their past 10 games. Thomas has been unable to find a consistent rotation with his players and has feuded with point guard Stephon Marbury and power forward Zach Randolph.

The Pistons, on the other hand, have been the picture of stability in the East for the past six seasons, advancing to the Eastern Conference finals in each campaign. This season has been no different, as Detroit owns the second-best record in the conference.

The Pistons needed overtime before emerging with a 103-100 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday. Chauncey Billups scored 27 points and Richard Hamilton added 26 to lead the way.

Detroit won the first meeting of the season between the teams on November 21, 98-86, behind 25 points and 15 assists from Billups.