The New York Knicks (18-21), losers of three straight, will take part in a Sunday night matchup with the Dallas Mavericks (13-27) at American Airlines Center.
Not only have the Knicks lost three games in a row, but they have also lost seven of their last eight. In their most recent game on Friday, they were defeated in overtime by the Miami Heat, 107-103. Doug McDermott hit a three towards the end of regulation to force overtime, but New York was outscored 10-6 in the extra frame. Courtney Lee led the team with 24 points while Michael Beasley had a double-double off the bench scoring 20 and grabbing ten rebounds.
The Mavericks have followed up a season-high four-game winning streak with losses in their last two outings (each by three points). On Friday, they fell at the hands of the Chicago Bulls by the score of 127-124. Both teams shot well, but the difference in the game was Chicago attempting 31 free throws compared to Dallas’ 13. Wesley Matthews scored 24, Harrison Barnes had 23, and Dirk Nowitzki finished with 19.
Likely line-ups
Knicks: PG - Jarrett Jack, SG - Courtney Lee, SF - Lance Thomas, PF - Kristaps Porzingis, C - Enes Kanter
Mavericks: PG - Dennis Smith Jr., SG - Wesley Matthews, SF - Harrison Barnes, PF - Maxi Kleber, C - Dirk Nowitzki
Leaders
Knicks: Points - Kristaps Porzingis 23.6, Rebounds - Enes Kanter 9.9, Assists - Jarrett Jack 5.9
Mavericks: Points - Harrison Barnes 18.6, Rebounds - Harrison Barnes 6.6, Assists - J.
J. Barea 6.1
Injured players
Knicks: Out - Tim Hardaway Jr. (leg), Questionable - Michael Beasley (ankle)
Mavericks: Out - Seth Curry (leg), Dorian Finney-Smith (knee), Nerlens Noel (thumb)
What to know
A lot of Knicks fans will be paying attention to the first meeting between rookie point guards Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr.
New York selected Ntilikina eighth and Smith was taken ninth by the Mavericks. In 21.3 minutes per game, Ntilikina is averaging 5.8 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.3 steals. In more playing time (27.7 minutes per game), Smith Jr. has averages of 13.9 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.0 rebounds.
Kristaps Porzingis has struggled from the field in his nine games since returning from a two-game absence due to a knee injury.
In those nine outings, he is shooting just 36.0 percent from the field and 25.7 percent on threes.
New York would look to move out of a tie for the least road wins on the season. The Knicks are 3-14 in away games while the Atlanta Hawks are 3-17 (at Los Angeles Lakers tonight), and the Utah Jazz are 3-16 (at Heat tonight).
Regular season history
Seventy-two times the Knicks and Mavericks have met in the regular season. Dallas holds a 39-33 edge in the win column.
The two teams split the two-game series last season, but Dallas had won the previous five head-to-head matchups. Dallas has won the last three games against the Knicks played at American Airlines Center.
