Karl-Anthony Towns came through when the Knicks needed him — even if he was not designed to be the team’s hero.

Despite a brutal third quarter, the New York Knicks have a commanding lead in their series with the Detroit Pistons.

The Knicks played fast in their 118-116 Game 3 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Karl-Anthony Towns had his best offensive game of the series. Correlation? “I think so,” Knicks guard Josh Hart said. New York took a 2-1 series lead in Detroit behind 31 points from Towns.