Karl-Anthony Towns led the scoring for the Knicks with 31 points, eight rebounds and two blocks while shooting 10-of-18 from the field. Jalen Brunson added 30 points, shooting 11-of-13 from the free-throw line, along with nine assists and seven rebounds. OG Anunoby added 22 points, and Mikal Bridges had 20.

DETROIT — Karl-Anthony Towns was aggressive early and Jalen Brunson was effective late. Towns scored 11 of his 31 points in the first quarter and Brunson had 12 of his 30 in the fourth to help the New York Knicks hold on for a 118-116 win over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round series.

When an NBA game is on the line, you want the basketball in New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson’s hands. He was named Clutch Player of the Year.