Knicks defeated Pistons before heading out for All-Star break

Knicks improved their standing to 19-18 halfway in the season as NBA heads out for a break for All-Star matches, New York Knicks held their ground against Detroit Pistons for 114-104 while Julius Randle scored 27 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists for his side. RJ Barrett did not cower behind he added 21 points to help Knicks to 19-18. Knicks have missed making it to the playoffs for seven back-to-back years but this year they finished the first half of NBA, fifth on the Eastern Conference table. Elfrid Payton came back after a four-game absence due to a sore right hamstring to contribute 20 points and Wayne Ellington was at 17 points for Pistons.

Rest of the NBA matches played out smoothly as well: TRAILBLAZERS 123 beat KINGS 119, SUNS 120 defeated WARRIORS 98 WIZARDS 119 won by two points over CLIPPERS 117, BUCKS 112 cruised to a close win against GRIZZLIES 111, HEAT 103 took down PELICANS 93 while NUGGETS 113 beat PACERS 103.