Knicks vs. Pistons odds, prediction, spread, time: 2026 NBA picks for Thursday, Feb. 19 from proven model
CBS Sports
by
Daniel Kohn
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks are set to clash in an highly anticipated NBA game on Thursday night, Feb. 19, at Madison Square Garden. Both teams enter the matchup on a roll, with the Pistons leading the Eastern Conference as the top seed and boasting an impressive 8-2 record in their last 10 games. The Knicks, currently third in the East, are also performing well, going 8-2 in their last 10 contests. Despite these strong performances, both teams face challenges: Detroit is missing key players Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart due to suspensions, while New York’s OG Anunoby is questionable with a toe injury.
The Pistons, who have a stellar road record of 18-7 this season, are led by star Cade Cunningham, who is projected to average 23.3 points in this clash. The Knicks, meanwhile, hope to rely on the strong home-court advantage, where they’ve won 21 of their 29 games so far. New York’s Jalen Brunson is expected to be a key player, with projections showing he could score 25.8 points in the game. The Pistons’ balanced attack looks promising, with four players projected to score at least 10 points each.
SportsLine’s Projection Model has simulated this matchup over 10,000 times and predicts an Over/Under of 221.5 points, leaning toward a high-scoring game. New York is favored by 4.5 points in the spread, but the Pistons’ strong performance on the road and their recent dominance over the Knicks—winning five straight meetings—could make this game unpredictable.
For fans looking to bet on the game, the model’s picks suggest an almost 70% chance of success for one side of the spread. With both teams in contention for playoff spots, this game could be pivotal in shaping their respective standings. The matchup promises to deliver high-energy action, with potential star performances from Cunningham and Brunson, making it a must-watch event for NBA enthusiasts.
This game not only matters for its competitive edge but also for its implications on the Eastern Conference standings. With both teams fighting for supremacy, fans
Verticals
sports
Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/19/2026