Knicks, Pistons meet at MSG

Detroit is four games ahead of Cleveland and Chicago for the top spot in both the East and Central Division standings. The Pistons have won four of their last five games and posted an 87-82 win over the Cavaliers on Sunday at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Chauncey Billups scored six of his 14 points in the final three minutes, as Detroit held off Cleveland to widen the gap in the hunt for homecourt advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Billups also dished out 12 assists for the Pistons, while Richard Hamilton added 21 points and Antonio McDyess chipped in 18 points and a season-high 13 rebounds for Detroit.

The Pistons are 25-13 away from the Motor City this season.

Meanwhile, the Knicks are three games off the eighth and final playoff spot with six games remaining on the regular-season schedule. They ended a four- game losing streak with Saturday’s 118-113 overtime win against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center.

Eddy Curry poured in a career-high 43 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the way and Nate Robinson had 34 points for the Knicks. Mardy Collins notched a career-high 19 points and 12 boards in the road victory.

New York is back at home where it has lost two in a row and owns a 19-20 mark this season. In injury news for the Knicks, forward David Lee (leg) and guard Steve Francis (ankle) are questionable for Monday’s game. Guard Stephon Marbury (toe) is listed as doubtful.

Monday’s game between Detroit and New York is the third and final meeting of the regular season. The series is knotted at a game apiece, but the Pistons have won eight of 10 and 10 of the last 13 matchups.

Detroit has dropped two straight at Madison Square Garden.