Detroit Pistons (40-13, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (35-20, third in the Eastern Conference)

New York; Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EST

Knicks -4.5; over/under is 222.5

BOTTOM LINE: Detroit visits New York looking to extend its three-game road winning streak.

The Knicks are 24-13 in conference play. New York ranks third in the Eastern Conference in team defense, allowing only 111.9 points while holding opponents to 45.9% shooting.

The Pistons are 26-7 against Eastern Conference opponents. Detroit is fifth in the NBA scoring 18.4 fast break points per game led by Cade Cunningham averaging 3.7.

The Knicks make 47.2% of their shots from the field this season, which is 3.1 percentage points higher than the Pistons have allowed to their opponents (44.1%). The Pistons average 5.3 more points per game (117.2) than the Knicks allow (111.9).

The teams square off for the third time this season. The Pistons won the last meeting 118-80 on Feb. 7. Daniss Jenkins scored 18 points to help lead the Pistons to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 19.8 points and 11.9 rebounds for the Knicks. Jalen Brunson is averaging 23.3 points and 6.1 assists over the last 10 games.

Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.6 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 8-2, averaging 119.0 points, 46.3 rebounds, 29.6 assists, 7.7 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 103.7 points per game.

Pistons: 8-2, averaging 118.7 points, 43.9 rebounds, 26.9 assists, 11.5 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.4 points.

INJURIES: Knicks: OG Anunoby: day to day (toe), Miles McBride: out (ankle).

Pistons: Ronald Holland II: day to day (personal).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.br/]

• Detroit Opera is launching a new initiative called Detroit Opera House Presents to offer a wider variety of live events.
• The new series aims to activate the venue year-round alongside its traditional opera and dance productions.
• The company also received a $3 million grant from the Fred & Barbara Erb Family Foundation to support operations and new programming.
• Upcoming events include “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” and a tribute to Whitney Houston.

Detroit Opera is broadening its profile as a presenter with Detroit Opera House Presents, a new initiative designed to bring a wider mix of music, dance, storytelling and other live events to its historic downtown venue.

The series will run alongside the company’s acclaimed opera and dance productions and aims to keep the opera house more fully activated year-round.

“For thirty years, this opera house has been home to great entertainment beyond its spectacular opera and dance programming,” said Patty Isacson Sabee, Detroit Opera’s president and CEO. “It has hosted Broadway tours, major concerts, community celebrations — this building has always been a cultural destination for Detroit.

“Detroit Opera House Presents formalizes our commitment to actively programming this incredible venue year-round. Like the city of Detroit and the people who call it home, Detroit Opera refuses to be put into just one box. We’re committed to welcoming people for a variety of exceptional experiences, bringing the Opera House to life more often and inviting new audiences to experience its magic.”

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The move builds on decades of varied programming at the opera house since its 1996 renovation — from Broadway tours and major TV tapings to civic events. Detroit Opera has already piloted the new format this season with a run of high-profile events, including Raphael Saadiq’s “No Bandwidth Tour,” a conversation with author Margaret Atwood, and a sold-out symphonic tribute to Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton and the Detroit Opera Orchestra.

The company continues to push artistic boundaries in its core offerings. This season opened with “Highways and Valleys —Two American Love Stories,” a double bill directed by Kaneza Schaal, and will feature Poul Ruders’ “The Handmaid’s Tale” next month, led by an all-female creative team.

Situated next to Detroit’s major sports venues, the opera house is positioned to tap into the city’s deep musical heritage — from Motown to techno — through Detroit Opera House Presents. More programming announcements will appear on detroitoperahouse.com.

Upcoming Detroit Opera House Presents events include:

• Bugs Bunny at the Symphony: April 18 at 7:30 p.m. and April 19 at 2:30 p.m.
• Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán: May 9 at 7:30 p.m.
• GameSymphonic with Éímear Noone: June 13 at 7:30 p.m.
• The Voice of Whitney Houston: October 10 at 8 p.m.

Opera receives $3 million grant from Erb Foundation

Detroit Opera has secured a $3 million grant from the Fred & Barbara Erb Family Foundation, funding that will bolster day‑to‑day operations and underwrite a new initiative aimed at broadening the artistic offerings and audience experiences at the Detroit Opera House.

“On behalf of Detroit Opera, I’d like to thank the Erb Family Foundation for its tremendous support and investment,” said Sabee. “Detroit Opera House is more than just a stage for opera — it is a community asset for downtown Detroit that must evolve to meet modern audience needs and financial realities. This funding will give us the flexibility to reimagine and reinvest in the potential of the Opera House and our company as a whole, as we continue our mission to serve the Detroit community in new and exciting ways.”

A long-time Metro Detroiter who, in his youth, became a Civil Rights Activist, took part in demonstrations that helped to desegregate the South.

Raymond Randolph Jr. has lived in Farmington Hills with his wife, Shirley, for more than 30 years.

“My wife is the best thing that ever happened to me,” Randolph Jr. said.

He grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, in an all-white neighborhood.

“It was in the vicinity of Yale University, which in my area was in the projects,” Randolph Jr. said.

His father, Raymond Randolph, cleaned houses for the wealthy.

“On one end, I grew up in the projects. On the other end, 50% of my life was spent in high-end homes,” Randolph Jr. said.

After graduating from high school, Randolph Jr. attended Virginia Union University.

“When a white person was walking down the street, you had to step aside so they could come by,” Randolph Jr. said. “I mean, really, as far as human dignity is concerned, it was, you know, just wasn’t something that I was used to, and which kind of put me into activism.”

Inspired by other peaceful protests at the time, a group of Virginia Union students staged a sit-in at the lunch counter of Thalhimer’s Department Store in downtown Richmond.

As Randolph Jr. walked into the Richmond Room, he was handed a card.

“The card said, ‘We request you to leave the premises. Your refusal to leave constitutes a trespass, which is a misdemeanor upon conviction,’” he said.

Randolph Jr. and 33 others were arrested on Feb. 22, 1960, and later convicted. It was a decision they appealed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and won.

“These were times when folks were trying to change things and were willing to do whatever they could, no matter what it took,” Randolph Jr. said.

A year later, Randolph Jr. became one of more than 400 Freedom Riders. He says it was a dangerous mission worth taking.

“Mama putting together a basket of fried chicken and stuff. So it lasts you the entire trip, because you couldn’t stop anywhere, or you would be, you know, run the risk of being hurt in some way,” Randolph Jr. said.

He was arrested again in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1961 and spent four months in a penitentiary where fellow Freedom Riders cried out in song each night.  

Now, a historic marker honoring Richmond 34 is in place where the former department store once stood. His contributions are enshrined at his alma mater.

“This took 50 years, and before Richmond recognized the Richmond 34, and now on every Feb. 22, there is recognition of the Richmond 34,” Randolph Jr. said.

“To have your university, have your name, to have your name as part of this legacy is just mind-blowing for this kid out of the projects.”

Despite everything, Randolph Jr. doesn’t consider himself an icon.

“It’s just been a great story for Ray Randolph, not an icon, just, I just consider myself just a nice guy, that’s all,” Randolph Jr. said.