Knicks beat Pistons 111-97 for first win of season

The New York Knicks beat the Detroit Pistons 111-97 on Tuesday, ending an 0-3 start to their title defense with their first win of the season. Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with 27 points and 20 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson scored 23 points. The Knicks had opened the season with losses to Philadelphia, Boston and Orlando. Their victory over Detroit came after the Pistons had won their first three games. New York rallied from an early deficit and moved ahead in the second half. Detroit led by as many as 13 points early in the game. The Knicks cut the gap to one at halftime, then limited the Pistons to 25 combined points in the second and third quarters, according to the game account. New York’s starters remained on the court late, while Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff emptied his bench with seven and a half minutes left and his team trailing by 21. Brunson added seven assists, though he struggled with his shooting early and finished 5-for-18 from the field. Before the game, he had urged the team to focus on details, stay together and respond to adversity after the opening losses. After the win, he credited defensive stops and transition play with helping New York build its...