Porzingis scores career-high 35, Knicks top Pistons 105-102

15 days later, the Knicks made sure deja vu did not occur at Madison Square Garden.

He completed a three-point play after dunking an alley-oop pass from former Piston Brandon Jennings and his three-pointer on the next possession gave the Knicks a 39-35 lead at the 7:29 mark. “I was playing my game”.

Porzingis started off hot, scoring nine first-quarter points on 4-of-5 shooting.

Coming into the game, Porzingis was averaging 19.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, his second season in the NBA after being taken with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft out of Latvia. Photo Courtesy of Jim McIsaac, Newsday. With the loss, the Detroit Pistons fall to a 6-6 record. Porzingis retaliated by scoring 10 straight points. Midway through the frame, NY went on a 15-4 run. For stretches Wednesday night, Porzingis carried the Knicks, aggressively pursuing his own shot and attacking a mismatched Pistons defense. While Noah’s offensive skills may be diminishing, he is in fact the Knicks leading rebounder. They recorded a 34.8 three-point percentage compared to NY, who shot 36 percent from the beyond the arc.

With 7:00 mins left in the game, Justin Holiday grabbed an offensive rebound.

Carmelo Anthony added 22 points to help the Knicks win their second straight.

The Pistons were within 104-102 when Smith hit a 3-pointer with 31.7 seconds remaining.

Harrison Barnes led the Mavericks with 28 points.

PG – Derrick Rose / SG – Courtney Lee / SF – Carmelo Anthony / PF – Kristaps Porzingis / C – Joakim Noah. He was limited to one game last season because of injuries. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope attempted a three-point shot but it did not go in. His 22 attempted shots were more than any of his teammates.

“We just didn’t know each other, we didn’t trust each other, offensively and defensively”, said Jeff Teague, who had perhaps his best game in a Pacers uniform with 20 points, eight assists and two turnovers, along with a solid defensive effort on Kyrie Irving.

Wall finished with 21 points and 11 assists for the home team, while Otto Porter Jr. also had 21 points for the Wizards.

“Jon and Tobias (Harris) were our two best rebounders tonight”, Van Gundy said.

NOTES: Asked about ESPN’s report of Dallas, Memphis and Milwaukee boycotting Trump hotels, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said, “I think every team has got to take a look at that and you know I think teams are getting tuned in a little bit politically and everything else”.

“He is unsafe”, Rose said. And to be so big, 7-3, moving the way you move, it’s kind of insane – unique, unique player… Anthony told the media “Brilliant. It felt good today and it felt good the last game, we just have to continue”.

Porzingis capped off an impressive first half with 25 points, including the last six of the half. He logged in 40 tonight.

-The Pistons are now 1-6 on the road.