The Knicks have an immediate chance coming out of the All-Star break to set a strong tone for the second half of their season — in either direction.
They’ve already been punked by the Pistons, who are six games above them in first place in the Eastern Conference, this season.
The point differentials of 31 and 38 represent the two largest losses for the Knicks this season.
Their scoring totals in those games — 90 and 80 points — are their lowest of the season.
But both those games were in Detroit.
On Thursday, the Knicks finally get to host the Pistons at Madison Square Garden, in what will be the last regular-season matchup between the two teams this year.
It wasn’t just that the Knicks were blown out previously, it was the manner in which it happened.
They were bullied physically, with the Pistons’ aggressive defense throwing them entirely out of rhythm.
Ausar Thompson, who largely guarded Jalen Brunson during their first-round matchup last postseason, has emerged as one of the few defenders who has bothered Brunson, particularly in that second matchup
“It’s pretty simple. They just physically kicked our ass,” coach Mike Brown said after the first matchup. “There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it.”
That was thematic, and did not change at all in the second meeting. In fact, it worsened.
“They kicked our behind, starting with me,” Brown said after the second matchup.
Over the first half of the season, the Pistons established themselves as a runaway leader atop the East.
That role was supposed to be there for the Knicks’ taking entering the season, with the Celtics and Pacers weakened without Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, respectively, due to torn Achilles tendons.
Instead, a roller-coaster first half of the season has the Knicks coming out of the break in third, behind the Pistons and Celtics.
Last year proved that regular-season outcomes don’t always predict playoff results, though.
The Knicks went 1-3 against the Pistons and 0-4 against the Celtics in the regular season last year, then eliminated them in the first and second rounds, respectively.
“I don’t look at regular-season games as a barometer because, come playoffs, it’s a different basketball game,” Brunson said previously. “Especially when you talk about a seven-game series. I’ve been with different teams that went to the Finals or played deep in the playoffs that lost the season series to teams and still won in the playoffs.”
Other than the Pistons, there are reasons to believe the Celtics — sitting a half-game above the Knicks — and the Cavaliers — one game below — can make a jump and rise to another level in the second half of the season.
The Celtics could be getting Tatum back for the playoffs.
He recently began some on-court work and did not rule out a return this year.
And the Cavaliers acquired James Harden from the Clippers just ahead of the deadline, providing Donovan Mitchell with the best co-star he’s had.
“He’s a very dangerous player in our league,” Brunson said of Tatum. “Seeing him go down last year, it sucks to see. You never want to see that from anyone in any sport. The fact that he’s worked so hard to get to where he is and preparing to come back is a testament to who he is. Basketball fans around the world definitely are excited to see his comeback.”
The power dynamic in the East is a bit different than the Knicks likely expected entering the season.
Coming out of the break, though, they have an immediate chance to send a message.
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