Spanish point guard Jose Manuel Calderon made his debut in a losing effort with the Detroit Pistons, who were beaten 99-85 by the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Spanish player, who has now resolved his U.S. visa problems, started for Detroit and led the Pistons with 15 points.
Detroit, however, had a lackluster showing and could not dent the powerful Knicks.
Calderon, who was traded to Detroit from the Toronto Raptors in a three-way deal that also involved the Memphis Grizzlies, was unable to change the losing ways of the Pistons (18-31).
Detroit lost its second consecutive game and has lost seven out of 11 games.
Calderon played 27 minutes and scored on seven of 12 field goals, with one three-pointer out of four attempts, three assists and a rebound.
