New York Knicks Vs. Dallas Mavericks: Predictions, Starting Lineups (1/11/24)
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New York Knicks vs. Dallas Mavericks tips off this Thursday (1/11/24) at 8:30pm EST in Dallas Texas as a home game for the Mavericks. Get New York Knicks vs. Dallas Mavericks predictions and best bets below as our best bet is on the Knicks moneyline as they take advantage of the Mavericks who are potentially without Luka Doncic.
New York Knicks Vs. Dallas Mavericks Prediction
Since their loss on New Years, the New York Knicks have strung together an impressive winning streak as they continue to figure out their new identity following the acquisition of OG Anunoby. While recent results are not indicative of their season long potential, it’s safe to say that the trade is panning out so far.
The Knicks will look to continue their hot streak against a reeling Mavericks squad who may be without star point guard Luka Doncic. Not only is Doncic listed as questionable, and trending towards sitting out, but Dereck Lively II, Grant Williams, and Maxi Kleber are all trending towards sitting out as well. That is potentially a massive loss for a Mavericks squad who lacks depth, especially in the interior where they have struggled to defend. The Mavericks allow opposing offenses to shoot 55.4% inside the arc — 10th worst in the league.
That bodes well for a Knicks offense that has struggled with interior scoring, shooting a lowly 52.2% from inside the arc. With the Mavericks injuries, Randle should find himself with more room to work with when in the low post. This should also create higher quality driving lanes for Jalen Brunson in his efforts to get to the rim. Factor in OG Anunoby being a better floor spacer as an offball scorer and the new look Knicks offense is in a good position to find more scoring consistency.
Especially if their looks from deep fall down early and often as the eighth best three-point shooting team. Were this to be the case, it would stretch out the Mavericks defense even more and create gaps inside the arc. Dallas is league average at best in their efforts with defending the perimeter, allowing teams to shoot 36.5% from deep which is 15th best in the league. This is another area of improvement since the trade as OG Anunoby shoots 45.5% from deep in comparison to RJ shooting a lowly 33.1%.
New York Knicks Vs. Dallas Mavericks Prediction: New York Knicks ML
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New York Knicks Vs. Dallas Mavericks Best Odds
This contest was originally thought to be much closer before Luka Doncic popped up as questionable on the injury report as oddsmakers opened the Mavericks as a -1.5 favorite. Since trending towards sitting out, bettors have quickly backed the Knicks up to as high as -4.5 in some shops. There are a few -3.5’s out there, making it vital to get the best available number.
As for the total, oddsmakers believed points would be scored at a quick pace as they opened the number at 234.5. Bettors have yet to take a firm stand on either side of the number, keeping the total the same since the opener. The Knicks offense has been better on offense, yet the Mavericks may struggle with consistency over the full course of the game which makes this a pass.
New York Knicks Starting Lineup
PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Donte DiVincenzo
SF: OG Anunoby
PF: Julius Randle
C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Kyrie Irving
SF: Derrick Jones Jr
PF: Grant Williams
C: Dereck Lively II
New York Knicks Vs. Dallas Mavericks Injuries
The New York Knicks come into this contest relatively healthy while the Dallas Mavericks will potentially be without Luka Doncic, Dereck Lively II, Grant Williams, and Maxi Kleber.
New York Knicks Vs. Dallas Mavericks Key Matchups
Can the Knicks slow down Kyrie Irving?
Kyrie Irving Vs. Knicks Perimeter Defense
With Luka Doncic potentially sitting out, the Mavericks offense will heavily revolve around Kyrie Irving who is an elite talent in his own right. A ball dominant point guard who can deal damage from deep as well as his cuts to the rim, now having to replicate the missing production of Luka.
Kyrie Irving with the crafty reverse layup 🔥
Grizzlies-Mavericks | Live on NBA TV
📲: https://t.co/KlIvL201q9 pic.twitter.com/dgo88zTz77— NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2024
That bodes well for the Knicks as they can shift their defense to throw more help side coverage towards Irving, getting the ball out of his hands early and often. With Isaiah Hartenstein anchoring the paint, Julius Randle can sag off and throw more coverage in the paint to limit Irving’s driving ability. The Knicks rank 13th in Defensive Efficiency and now get the benefit of getting to just focus on Irving and dare someone else to beat them.
