The New York Knicks (18-16) will be looking to snap their three-game losing skid when they face the Dallas Mavericks (18-16) on the road on Tuesday.
Both teams played in the NBA’s prestige Christmas Day lineup, with the Knicks losing to the Philadelphia 76ers and the Mavericks defeating the Los Angeles Lakers. It was New York’s third consecutive loss and Dallas’ third consecutive victory, respectively.
There are some personal ties involved between these two teams, as the last time they met – back on December 3rd – the Knicks blew a second-half lead and were outscored by the Mavericks 41-15 in the third quarter on their home floor, officially marking that game as New York’s most embarrassing loss this season by far.
The Knicks will now look to answer back with a vengeance when they have their rematch on Tuesday.
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A lot has changed for the Knicks since their last meeting against Dallas
Since that horrible loss earlier this month, the Knicks have looked like a completely different team.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau made some huge rotation changes that saw Derrick Rose and Cam Reddish get taken out of the rotation in favor of a nine-man rotation, with Miles McBride taking over for Rose’s spot.
The changes have worked out beautifully for the Knicks, as they are a second-best 8-3 in their last 11 games (since the two teams’ previous meeting).
The Knicks look more cohesive as a unit than ever before and as a result, have jumped into the top ten in net rating, offensive rating, and defensive rating.
As for the Mavericks, they have started to string together some wins of their own, winning three straight and seven of their last 12.
Luka Doncic continues to play like the MVP candidate he has been all season, averaging 32/8/8 this season, and is shooting a career-best 49.9% from the field.
In the last meeting between these teams, Doncic erupted for 30 points on 4/9 three-point shooting, teaming up with former Knick Tim Hardaway Jr. and combining for 58 points and 12 threes made to pummel the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks will be looking to contain Luka and Dallas’ wing perimeter shooters like Hardaway Jr. and Spencer Dinwiddie to prevent the same nightmare a few weeks ago from occurring again. They will certainly be up for a challenge, as Jalen Brunson’s hip injury could leave the Knicks incredibly shorthanded.
As of now, Brunson’s status for Tuesday’s game is unknown. The Knicks will be hoping for the best of news regarding their star point guard.
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