Pistons to utilize ‘practice’ approach for preseason opener against Knicks

Detroit News

Detroit — With their exhibition opener looming Tuesday against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, the Pistons aren’t letting the preseason deviate from their preparation mindset.

Pistons coach Dwane Casey said the team’s approach is going to be the same as it has been throughout the first week of training camp and during Sunday’s open scrimmage.

“(Tuesday) is going to be another practice for us,” Dwane Casey said. “We’re going to compete to win. It’s another opportunity to get stuff on film to teach from. Win, lose or draw, that’s the way we’re approaching it all preseason.”

The Pistons and Knicks have developed some recent chemistry as they were trade partners during the offseason on two occasions, leading to the acquisitions of Jalen Duren and Kemba Walker (who is not with the team), along with Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks.

Detroit will also travel to play New York on Oct. 21 for the first road game of the regular season, building some familiarity between the two teams early in the season.

“It’s almost like a playoff game and you can learn from the previous game and play the second game,” Casey said. “The league did a good job of scheduling those during the regular season and I think that’s really important because it gives you a playoff feel — how you’re going to play in the playoffs, you have to make adjustments. I like it.”

Jaden Ivey, the No. 5 overall pick in the draft, will make his long-awaited Pistons debut Tuesday night. After Ivey played in front of Pistons fans for the first time during Sunday’s scrimmage at Little Caesars Arena, Casey wants the explosive guard to take care of the ball and defend his position without gambling.

“He’s so fast and he can get a steal in one step,” Casey said. “You’ll miss that nine out of 10 times. Just being solid with his speed.”

Tuesday’s road game against the Knicks is the first of a four-game preseason slate, which will continue on Friday on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans. Next week will round out the back half of the Pistons’ exhibition schedule, with two home games against the Oklahoma City Thunder (Oct. 11) and Memphis Grizzlies (Oct. 13).

Pistons at Knicks

Tipoff: 7 Tuesday, Madison Square Garden, New York

TV/radio: TNT/97.1

Outlook: The new-look Knicks will host the re-tooled Pistons in a nationally-televised preseason game. New York signed former Dallas Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson during the offseason to add to a core group of R.J. Barrett and Julius Randle. Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, the No. 5 overall pick, will play his first game.

mcurtis@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @MikeACurtis2

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