PREVIEW: The New York Knicks will get one more chance to make a statement against the visiting Detroit Pistons on Thursday night when both teams return from the All-Star Break. The Pistons' rapid rise to contention included a pair of convincing home wins over New York by scores of 121-90 on Jan. 5 and 118-80 on Feb. 6. The Pistons, who are two years removed from going a franchise-worst 14-68, have the best record in the NBA at 40-13, percentage points ahead of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Detroit boasts elite defensive tools, ranking 1st in good defense against shots attacking the rim and forcing a lot of turnovers, while the Knicks rank 2nd in defensive prowess against three-point shooting and 3rd in team defense overall. The Knicks have completed an impressive recovery from losing nine of 11 in late December through mid-January, going 10-2 since and featuring eight double-digit victories including two by at least 30 points. However, Detroit will face considerable challenges with center Isaiah Stewart remaining suspended for the next six games and All-Star Jalen Duren out for Thursday's matchup, with the two combining for 27.7 points, 15.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. The Knicks rank 3rd in efficient three-point shooting and 5th in offensive rebounding, while Detroit ranked 28th in three-point attempt frequency and 27th in defensive rebounding. The Pistons average 5.3 more points per game than the Knicks allow, setting up a compelling matchup between Detroit's superior scoring efficiency and New York's elite defensive intensity at home.