Sports
Knicks get their first win, beating the unbeaten Pistons 111-97 behind Towns' 27 and 20
Karl-Anthony Towns had 27 points and 20 rebounds as the defending champion Knicks avoided an 0-4 start with a big third quarter against Detroit.
The defending champion New York Knicks finally have a win. Karl-Anthony Towns had 27 points and 20 rebounds Tuesday night as New York beat the previously unbeaten Detroit Pistons 111-97.
The win kept the Knicks from becoming the second defending champion in NBA history to start 0-4. They had dropped their first three games to Philadelphia, Boston and Orlando.
Jalen Brunson shook off a slow start to score 23. Mikal Bridges made his first four 3-pointers of the season and scored 12.
A third quarter to remember
Brunson came in shooting 39% and was 1 of 9 in the first half. He hit his first three shots after halftime as New York opened the third quarter on an 11-0 run.
The Knicks outscored Detroit 37-13 in the period. Towns scored seven straight points at one stretch. Josh Hart's 3-pointer at the buzzer made it 88-63.
Payback for Detroit's dominance
The Pistons handled New York better than anyone last season. They won all three meetings by wide margins and had won the last six regular-season games between the teams.
Cade Cunningham had 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for Detroit, now 3-1. Paul Reed scored 22 starting for injured center Jalen Duren.
The Knicks visit Chicago on Wednesday night. Detroit hosts Charlotte.
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