The Dallas Mavericks (36-38) will be at home when they play the New York Knicks (30-45). Action begins at 8:30 pm ET on Wednesday, Mar. 30 and will air on FSW and MSG.
The Mavericks come into this game on a high note after beating the Nuggets 97-88 on Monday. J.J. Barea played a key role, recording 18 points and 11 assists to notch his second double-double of the season. The Knicks, meanwhile, are coming off a 99-91 loss against the Pelicans on Monday. Kristaps Porzingis scored 16 points and recorded 10 rebounds earning his 21st double-double of the season.
Dallas should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. They rank second in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.6%). Meanwhile, the Knicks force the fewest turnovers in the league (11.2%).
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Mavericks winning the first matchup 104-97. In the loss, Porzingis led all scorers on the team with 28 points.
The Mavericks are hoping to improve on their records of 36-38 Straight Up (SU) and 39-33-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They have gone 36-38 SU and 39-33-2 ATS against teams from the Eastern Conference. Dallas has been steady from the free throw line, shooting an impressive .797. The Mavericks, sporting the third-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA (1.82), have proven themselves to be an extremely efficient offensive team.
On the other side, the Knicks head into the game with records of 39-35-1 ATS and 30-45 SU. Against the Western Conference, New York is 30-45 SU and 39-35-1 ATS. New York has been playing better lately, averaging 108.1 PPG, significantly more than their season average of 98.7. The Knicks convert their free throws at a high percentage, leading the league at .806. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the Knicks on the defensive end. They allowed 111.7 points per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 101.4. New York has not committed many turnovers, averaging only 12.5 per game.
Dallas won the last meeting this season between these two teams, bringing its SU record to 7-3 over the Knicks in the last 10 games. The teams are even ATS, with a 5-5 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – Dal
Notes
On average, New York puts up 98.7 points per game (ranked 27th), while Dallas gives up 104.0 points per game (ranked 19th).
New York ranks 24th in points per away game with 98.0 points, while Dallas ranks 20th in points allowed at home with 103.1.
When giving up fewer than 100 points, the New York Knicks have a 20-16 record. When scoring fewer than 100 points, the Dallas Mavericks have a poor record of 10-21.
The New York Knicks have an underachieving 10-29 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Dallas Mavericks are 26-17 when they hit the century mark.
The Knicks have an offensive rating of 103.1 (ranked 22nd), while the Mavericks rank 18th for their defensive rating of 105.5.
The Dallas Mavericks average a field goal percentage of 44.6% this season. The New York Knicks have a subpar record of 6-26 when opponents have a FG% of 44.6% or greater.
On average, the Dallas Mavericks attempt 28.0 three point field goals per game and the New York Knicks attempt 21.0 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, Dallas is 26-28, while New York has a poor record of 6-11.
Dallas ranks near the top of the league with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.82 (ranked third). New York is ranked 14th, with an A/TO of 1.63.
The Dallas Mavericks rebound 43.0 times per game and are ranked 19th. Ranked 11th, the New York Knicks rebound 44.2 times per game.
Dallas is ranked eighth in defensive rebounds, while New York ranks 16th in offensive rebounds.
Dallas has forced an average turnover percentage of 13.6% this season. New York has a losing 8-20 record when its TOV% is 13.6% or higher.
