The Dallas Mavericks arrive in the Big Apple in search of a win after a deflating loss. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are also looking to come up with a victory following a loss. Who returns in the win column?

Catch this game live on Sunday, December 4, at 1:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Dallas Mavericks (10-11/1-8 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Luka Doncic
  • SG: Spencer Dinwiddie
  • SF: Reggie Bullock
  • PF: Dorian Finney-Smith
  • C: Dwight Powell

Just when it looked like the Mavs had finally gotten back on track with a win the other day over the Golden State Warriors at home, Luka Doncic and company got punched in the stomach again Friday in a 131-125 OT loss to the Detroit Pistons on the road. The Mavs are just not good of late, and that’s speaking a lot, considering Luka Doncic is still playing at an elite level. He averaged 33.4 points in Dallas’ last 10 games and even scored 35 in the loss to Detroit. 

Doncic can keep up that pace because that’s what he does, and he could be getting more help this time around, especially with Christian Wood coming off his best game in four games. Wood fired 25 points on 10/13 shooting versus the Pistons. Dallas’ outside shooting could be a bigger threat Sunday, too. The Knicks arguably have the worst defense against the three-ball this season, allowing opponents to take 38.5 3s and make 13.6 3-pointers per game – 29th and 30th in the NBA, respectively. 

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Home: New York Knicks (10-12/4-6 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Jalen Brunson
  • SG: Immanuel Quickley
  • SF: RJ Barrett
  • PF: Julius Randle
  • C: Mitchell Robinson

The Knicks aren’t doing pretty hot either. New York lost to the Milwaukee Bucks at home last Thursday, 109-103, which was the team’s third defeat in four games. But the Knicks seem to be catching the Mavs at just the right time, considering how worse Dallas is of late compared to New York. Plus, the Mavs are atrocious when away from home. The Mavs have also just won four times in their last 10 trips to Gotham. 

Dating back to 2018, Dallas is only 2-5 against the spread at Madison Square Garden. Look for the Knicks to make a living in the paint for this game. Jalen Brunson loves getting into the paint. As a team, the Knicks are No. 2 in the NBA in drives per game (56.3) and No. 1 in points in the shaded area (57.4). Those numbers don’t bode well for the Mavs, who are just 14th in the NBA with 48.2 paint points allowed per game.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Knicks (+1.5) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (225.5) hits the Under.