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Scouting Report: Knicks Battle Detroit on Fan Appreciation Night

Tonight's Matchup: New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons

Where: Madison Square Garden

TV: MSG Network (8:00 pm)

Knicks Report (17-64)

After notching their first back-to-back road wins of the season, the Knicks return home for Game No. 82 -- Fan Appreciation Night at the Garden. 

Derek Fisher's squad has gone through its growing pains over the first 81 games, but showed its growth in victories over Orlando and the Eastern Conference-leading Hawks. Cole Aldrich notched a career-high 19 points to go with 14 rebounds against the Magic, and Langston Galloway followed that up with a sensational, 26-point effort (on 10-of-12 shooting, 6-for-6 from downtown) for his career high in Monday's improbable win in Atlanta.

Tim Hardaway Jr. provided scoring punch in both games, carrying the Knicks down the stretch in Orlando before dropping 23 points against the Hawks. He and Jason Smith both seem to have settled into their groove in the Triangle, and it gives a glimpse of what New York's offense could become when players are reading and reacting in sync.

Pistons Report (31-50)

After a 5-23 start, Stan Van Gundy's team threatened to jump back into the playoff picture after waiving Josh Smith in late December and subsequently reeling off seven straight wins. But point guard Brandon Jennings went down for the season with a torn Achilles in late January and, despite trading for Reggie Jackson, the Pistons could never turn it around.

Detroit features one of the NBA's most imposing front lines, with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond averaging nealry 30 points and 24 rebounds between them. Jackson has embraced his starting role since moving to Detroit, posting 17.4 points and 9.1 assists in 26 games as a Piston.

Game Notes

Doors open at 6:30 for Fan Appreciation Night festivities, so make sure to arrive early if you're coming to the game.