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Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks: 5 Things To Watch For

By Kenneth Teape

Nov 1, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA;New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) goes to the basket as Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) and guard Ish Smith (14) defend during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA;New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) goes to the basket as Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) and guard Ish Smith (14) defend during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks: 5 Things To Watch For
Nov 1, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons guard Ish Smith (14) and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) defend during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Rebounding Battle

This could be the difference in tonight’s game. The Pistons have a dominant player in the middle rebounding in Drummond. He routinely finishes near the top of the league in rebounding, but the Pistons are a middle of the road rebounding team, averaging 44.5 per game.

They are right behind the Knicks, who average 44.6 rebound per game. Both teams have negative rebounding differentials, as the Knicks are -0.3 and the Pistons are at -1.3 In the first meeting the Knicks were outrebounded by five, pulling down 43 compared to 48 for the Pistons.

Rebounding has been a trouble spot for the Knicks all season. They are third to last in defensive rebounding rate at 72.7 percent. It is a number they have to improve on as they give up too many second chance points. In the first meeting, the Pistons had 10 offensive rebounds. They average 9.5 per game on the season but are not a great offensive rebounding team with a 21.3 offensive rebounding percentage, 23rd in the NBA.

A defensive possession is not finished until the defensive rebound is corralled. The Knicks need to do a better job on the defensive glass to cut down on opponent’s second chance points. The problem is neither Noah or Porzingis excel on the defensive glass; they are both better offensive rebounders.

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