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