Knicks vs. Mavericks: Game Preview
The New York Knicks are set to face off against the Dallas Mavericks in an important matchup as they aim to end a three-game losing streak. The game will take place in New York at 5 p.m. EST on Monday, with the Knicks currently sitting third in the Eastern Conference and holding a record of 25-17. In contrast, the Mavericks are struggling at 17-26, positioned 12th in the Western Conference.
Betting Odds and Team Performance
The latest betting odds from BetMGM indicate the Knicks are favored to win by 5.5 points, with an over/under line set at 227.5 total points for the contest. New York has been strong at home, boasting a commendable 16-5 record and averaging 118.4 points per game with an impressive shooting percentage of 46.9% from the field.
Meanwhile, Dallas has faced significant challenges on the road, with a disappointing 4-15 record outside of their home arena. They also carry an 8-15 mark against teams with winning records, highlighting their difficulties in high-pressure matchups.
Key Matchup: Three-Point Shooting
Three-point shooting will be a vital aspect of this game, as the Knicks average 15 made threes per game—significantly higher than the 11.7 threes the Mavericks allow their opponents to hit. Offensively, Dallas averages 114.2 points per game, just slightly behind the Knicks’ defensive average of 114.9 points allowed.
Previous Encounter
This contest marks the second encounter of the season between these two teams, with New York emerging victorious in their previous meeting, narrowly defeating Dallas 113-111 on November 20, where Jalen Brunson scored 28 points for the Knicks and Naji Marshall led the Mavericks with 23 points.
Players to Watch
Top players to watch include Karl-Anthony Towns, who averages 20.9 points and 11.5 rebounds for New York, and Jalen Brunson, who has been contributing 19.2 points and 3.7 assists in the last ten games. From the Mavericks’ side, Cooper Flagg has shown promise with averages of 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.
Recent Form and Injury Updates
In recent form, the Knicks have struggled, holding a 2-8 record over their last ten games, with an average of 110.6 points per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Their opponents have scored an average of 117.7 points in those games. Dallas, on the other hand, has been slightly more competitive with a 5-5 record in their last ten outings, averaging 116.5 points and shooting 48.9% from the field, while allowing 115.6 points on average.
Injury updates reveal Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart are both listed as day-to-day due to ankle issues, while Dallas’ injury report is extensive, featuring several key players. Daniel Gafford and Cooper Flagg are day-to-day with ankle injuries, Kyrie Irving is out due to a knee issue, and several others are sidelined for the season. D’Angelo Russell is listed as day-to-day due to illness.
