Knicks beat Pistons 87-77 without Anthony

"Sometimes you can try to over-attack," guard Raymond Felton said. "Sometimes you've got to take what the defense gives you no matter who's playing."

The Knicks settled down after that sloppy start, and although they relied more than expected on their outside shooting, they eventually pulled away in the fourth quarter for an 87-77 victory Wednesday night.

Felton scored 26 points, and New York went on a 16-0 run in the fourth to put away the game.

Anthony sat out after injuring his right knee Monday. The Pistons were without big man Greg Monroe, who has a sore left ankle, and Detroit coach Lawrence Frank missed the game because of a personal matter.

The Pistons have also been without 6-foot-11 rookie Andre Drummond, who has a stress fracture in his back.

"I told our guys after the game that I have nothing negative to say," said Detroit assistant Brian Hill, who filled in for Frank. "I thought we played some difficult lineups out there tonight. I thought they gave us every ounce of energy that they could possibly give us."

The Knicks overcame their early turnovers and led 44-38 at the half. Brandon Knight scored 17 points for the Pistons and led a third-quarter rally, but Detroit managed only 12 points in the fourth.

The Knicks have won five of six heading into Thursday's home game against Oklahoma City.

"Melo is a big piece of our ballclub and we have had games this year where he missed and we have been successful," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. "That is the sign of a true team, a team that is willing to step up and make plays and win regardless of who is in uniform."

Amare Stoudemire took advantage of Detroit's depleted interior, scoring 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, but Tyson Chandler scored only two points.