It’s an interconference battle on the hardwood as a pair of teams on the right side of the playoff cut line take the floor in search of a win in the Lone Star State. The New York Knicks are on the road as they make the trip to take on the Dallas Mavericks Thursday night. New York routed Portland 112-84 at home in their previous contest, covering the line as a 13-point favorite Tuesday night. Dallas was dropped 120-103 at home by Memphis Tuesday night in their most recent game, losing outright as a 9.5-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Mavericks own a 44-40 advantage and took both meetings last season. That includes a 126-121 overtime win at home in the most recent matchup on December 27, 2022.

New York Knicks Seek to Remain Unbeaten Since Anunoby Trade

New York ran their mark to 5-0 since acquiring OG Anunoby in a deal with the Raptors as they rolled over Portland at home Tuesday night. The Knicks went into Wednesday 22-15 on the season and stood third in the Atlantic Division, 6.5 games behind the Celtics for the top spot. They were fourth in the Eastern Conference, 6.5 games behind Boston for the top spot and 2.5 games ahead of Cleveland for the final guaranteed playoff spot. Against Portland, New York dropped the hammer early, leading by 16 after the opening quarter, and poured it on from there. The Knicks were up 22 at the half, led by as many as 39 in the second half and by 34 after three quarters before easing off the gas. New York shot 41.6% from the floor, including 18 of 48 from three-point range, and controlled the glass by a 55-43 margin. Anunoby led six Knicks in double figures with 23 points in the win.

For the year, the Knicks are 13th in the league in scoring offense with 115.7 points per contest entering this game. New York is 5th in the league in rebounding as they collect 45.7 rebounds per game while they are 28th in the league in assists by dishing out 24 dimes per contest. The Knicks are 11th in the league in scoring defense by allowing 111.7 points per contest. Jalen Brunson (25.6 points, 6.4 assists) and Julius Randle (24.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists) are the top two scoring options for the Knicks this season. OG Anunoby (15 points, 4.1 rebounds), Quentin Grimes, Donte DiVincenzo, Isaiah Hartenstein, Mitchell Robinson, Precious Achiuwa, Malachi Flynn and Josh Hart are key contributors for coach Tom Thibodeau. New York is 21st in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 46.6% from the floor as a team. The Knicks are 10th in the league in threes per game as they knock down 13.2 triples a night while they are 8th in three-point shooting by hitting 37.8% of their attempts from beyond the arc.

Dallas Mavericks Hoping to Bounce Back

Dallas saw their three-game win streak snapped as they were handled at home by a Memphis team without star point guard Ja Morant. The Mavericks entered Wednesday night 22-16 on the year and stood second in the Southwest Division, half a game behind the Pelicans for the top spot in the standings. They were seventh in the Western Conference, five games behind Minnesota for the top spot, half a game behind the Pelicans for the final guaranteed playoff spot and four games ahead of the Jazz and Warriors to remain in the play-in tournament field. Against Memphis, Dallas led by seven early only to get outscored 20-6 the rest of the opening quarter to trail by seven after the opening quarter. The Mavericks trailed by 15 at the half and never got closer than 10 the rest of the way in the loss. Dallas shot 43.9% from the field, including nine of 27 from three-point range, and lost the rebounding battle 54-33 in the game. Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 33 points and eight rebounds in the loss.

This season, the Mavericks are 7th in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 118.6 points per game. Dallas is 24th in the league in rebounding as they collect 42.2 boards a night while they are 25th in assists by dishing out 25.3 dimes per contest. The Mavericks are 20th in the league in scoring defense as they are giving up an average of 116.9 points a game. Luka Doncic leads the team with 33.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game on the season. Kyrie Irving (23.9 points, five rebounds, five assists), Tim Hardaway Jr. (17.1 points) and Grant Williams are solid secondary options on the offensive end. Derrick Jones Jr. (10.3 points), Josh Green, Dereck Lively II, Jaden Hardy, Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber, Seth Curry and Dante Exum are rotation depth pieces for Jason Kidd. Dallas is 16th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 47.2% from the field as a team on the year. The Mavericks are 3rd in the league in threes per game as they hit 15.1 triples per contest while they are 15th in three-point shooting by hitting 36.8% of their attempts from beyond the arc.