Embarking on their East Coast road trip, the Dallas Mavericks will take on the New York Knicks in the vibrant city on Thursday night.
Currently, with a 28-23 record on the season, the Mavericks are deeply entrenched in the intense playoff race in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, the Knicks have emerged as one of the league's top teams, securing third place in the Eastern Conference standings with an impressive 33-18 record.
Dallas Continues to Climb
In a remarkable display of skill, the Mavericks dominated the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night for a resounding 119-107 victory, their second straight win.
Kyrie Irving, in his long-awaited return to Brooklyn since last year's trade, showed off his scoring prowess with an impressive 36 points.
Luka Doncic continued his stellar form, contributing 35 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists. This dynamic duo led the Mavericks to an 18-point halftime lead, securing a comfortable victory.
Notably, this was the second consecutive game in which Irving and Doncic played together, both resulting in wins.
The Mavericks are experiencing a positive trend in player health, with the hope of achieving greater consistency as they move through the season.
Entering Madison Square Garden, the Mavericks hold the No. 10 offensive ranking in the NBA. They rank 16th in field goal shooting and ninth in three-point shooting, showing their offensive versatility.
Notably, the Mavs rank second in the league in three-point shots made per game.
Defensively, Dallas ranks 21st in scoring defense, while ranking 22nd in field goal shooting defense and 18th in three-point shooting defense.
Despite ranking 25th in total rebounds per game, the Mavericks, led by the ball-handling skills of Irving and Doncic, rank second in the NBA in fewest turnovers per game, demonstrating their disciplined approach on the court.
DANIEL GAFFORD IS GOING TO PLAY FOR THE DALLAS MAVERICKS.
BY HOLMES AND DRAFT COMPENSATION TO BE CONFIRMED. pic.twitter.com/RO3JQ0u4iL
- Mavericks Latam (@DallasMavsLATAM) February 8, 2024
Knicks Need to Recover
Maintaining their winning momentum, the Knicks secured a triumphant victory Tuesday night by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies by a score of 123-113 at MSG.
The win marked a rebound for the Knicks after the Los Angeles Lakers halted their impressive nine-game winning streak over the weekend.
The victory was not without its challenges, however, as Jaylen Brunson left the game in the second half due to an apparent ankle injury, despite contributing significantly with 27 points and eight assists.
Donte DiVincenzo led the Knicks with an impressive 32 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein added 17 points and eight rebounds, contributing to the Knicks' remarkable 16-3 record in their last 19 games.
As the Knicks anticipate the upcoming showdown against Brunson's former team, the Mavericks, on Wednesday night, there is optimism regarding Brunson's availability.
In terms of offensive rankings for the season, the Knicks rank 15th in the NBA. They rank 21st in field goal shooting percentage and 14th in three-point shooting percentage.
In addition, the Knicks claim 14th in the league in three-pointers made per game. Shifting the focus to defense, the Knicks have moved up to second in the NBA in point defense.
They rank ninth in field goal shooting defense and 14th in three-point defense. Rebounding prowess is a notable strength, as the Knicks rank third in the league in total rebounds per game.
In terms of ball security, they maintain an above-average position, securing 12th place in turnovers per game in the league.
