The NBA season is nearing its midway point, meaning we’ve got a pretty good understanding of who’s real, who’s fake, and who’s trying to make a name. In the Eastern Conference, one thing is for certain: both the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks are serious contenders.
The Pistons currently sit atop the Eastern Conference Standings with a 26-9 record, three games better than the second-place Knicks (23-12). But cracks have started to show in the Motor City. Detroit has lost three of its last five games, including a loss to the struggling Utah Jazz (12-22). Furthermore, the Pistons are playing the second game of a back-to-back Monday night, making this matchup against an experienced Knicks squad that much tougher.
The Knicks, however, have suffered a similar drought, losing each of their last three games to the San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers. New York might only boast a .500 record on the road this year, but catching Detroit in a slump after the Pistons’ grueling contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 4 might be the Knicks’ best chance to break out of this three-game skid.
Here’s how to watch this intriguing Eastern Conference matchup between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons on Monday, Jan. 5:
Stream Knicks vs. Pistons with Peacock
How to watch New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
Tonight’s matchup between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons will stream exclusively on Peacock.
Date: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit
TV: N/A
Stream: Peacock
Knicks vs. Pistons betting odds
Here are the latest odds for the Knicks vs. Pistons game, according to BetMGM as of Monday afternoon:
Spread: Pistons +1.5
Money: Knicks -120; Pistons +100
Over/under: 232.5
Injury report for Knicks-Pistons
New York Knicks:
Josh Hart – out (right ankle)
Landry Shamet – out (right shoulder)
Detroit Pistons:
Cade Cunningham – probable (right hip)
Jalen Duren – out (right ankle)
Tobias Harris – out (left hip)
Caris LeVert – doubtful (left knee)
Duncan Robinson – probable (left calf)
New York Knicks starting lineup
*Lineups listed per NBA.com
PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Mikal Bridges
SF: OG Anunoby
PF: Karl-Anthony Towns
C: Mitchell Robinson
Detroit Pistons starting lineup
*Lineups listed per NBA.com
PG: Cade Cunningham
SG: Duncan Robinson
SF: Ausar Thompson
PF: Paul Reed
C: Isaiah Stewart