Feb. 18, 2026, 11:55 p.m. ET
The Detroit Pistons (40-13) and New York Knicks (35-20) meet Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET inside Madison Square Garden in New York, New York (Prime Video). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pistons vs. Knicks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Pistons lead 2-0
The Pistons clapped the Toronto Raptors 113-95 Feb. 11 prior to the All-Star break, covering as 1-point road underdogs with the Under (222.5) cashing. Detroit has won 3 straight, covering in each. The Pistons own the best record in the league — with a nice 5½-game lead over second-place Boston in the East — and are 29-23-1 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
The Knicks throttled the Philadelphia 76ers 138-89 just before the break Feb. 11, covering with ease as 2.5-point road favorites with the Over (224.5) hitting. Following a 8-game win streak (Jan. 21-Feb. 4), New York alternated loses and wins in 4 games prior to the break, going 2-2 ATS. Overall, the Knicks are 30-25-1 ATS.
Watch the NBA on Fubo!Pistons at Knicks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:53 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Pistons +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Knicks -185 (bet $185 to win $105)Against the spread (ATS): Pistons +4.5 (-115) | Knicks -4.5 (-105)Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Pistons at Knicks key injuries
Pistons
C Jalen Duren (suspension) outC Isaiah Stewart (suspension) out
Knicks
F OG Anunoby (toe) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Pistons at Knicks picks and predictionsPrediction
Knicks 121, Pistons 112
PASS.
Avoid a moneyline play. The Knicks (-185) should avenge the 2 earlier-season losses, especially with the Pistons (+150) shorthanded — Duren and Stewart serving suspensions for an on-court brawl with Charlotte 2 games ago. However, New York’s price is too expensive to consider.
BET KNICKS -4.5 (-105).
Lately, the Knicks have been a good bet when favored. They’re 8-1 ATS — and straight up — in their last 9 as chalk. They’re an NBA-best 19-9 (67.9%) ATS at home this season, including 5-1 ATS across their previous 6 home games.
With the Pistons minus 2 key big men in Stewart and Duren, they’ll struggle in the paint and will likely score below their regular-season average (117.4 PPG) against the Knicks, who rank sixth in least-points allowed (111.9 PPG).
Back KNICKS -4.5 (-105).
BET OVER 223.5 (-110).
The Knicks have been scorching hot offensively. They’ve scored 132 points or more in 4 of their last 6 games, posting a 4-2 O/U record.
The Pistons have allowed at least 121 points in 2 of their last 5 games and have tallied at least 110 points on the offensive end in 7 straight.
Take OVER 223.5 (-110).
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