New York Knicks vs Dallas Mavericks Preview: Tips, Odds & Predictions

The Knicks' offense has shown flashes of being "unstoppable," with multiple instances of high-scoring quarters and a top-two offensive rating early in the season. However, the team has faced challenges with consistency, especially when key players are injured or the pace slows down into isolation play.

The Mavericks’ defense, on the other hand, is performing well, with a defensive rating that ranks them among the top 10 teams in the league. Dallas holds opponents to a low field goal percentage, ranking fifth in the league in that category. This indicates strong shot-contesting efforts.

This promises to be an interesting battle between the host’s offense and the visitor’s defense.

• Jalen Brunson (Point Guard)
  Jalen Brunson is the Knicks' primary playmaker, leading scorer, and off-ball threat. He is averaging 29.0 points per game and 6.3 assists per game.
• Karl-Anthony Towns (Center)
  Towns is an Inside-out scoring threat, who is vital for spacing, a handoff hub. He is averaging 21.3 points per game and a team-leading 11.5 rebounds.
• Mikal Bridges (Small Forward) 
  Bridges is an iron man who is a two-way threat, floor spacer, and secondary ball-handler. He is averaging 15.9 points per game and 1.6 steals.

The Mavericks’ offense has been poor so far, mainly attributed to the adaptation of a new offensive system and injuries to key personnel. They have low shooting percentages in catch-and-shoot (31%), unguarded catch-and-shoot (29%), and layup percentages (47%. They have a lack of offensive identity, and live-ball turnovers are fueling opponents’ transition points.

On the other hand, the Knicks’ defense has been on a downward trajectory since their NBA Cup victory in Vegas. Knicks’ defense has increased use of 2-3 zone schemes and switching on pick-and-rolls to compensate for the glaring weakness of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, who are defensive liabilities that opponents target.

While the Knicks have some glaring issues on defense, the Mavericks' offense is atrocious and can’t expose this advantage.

• Cooper Flagg (Small Forward)
  Cooper Flagg is one of the few positive stories of the Mavericks. The rookie leads the team in steals with 1.3 while averaging 18.9 points per game.
• P.J. Washington (Power Forward)
  P.J. Washington has had a difficult year dealing with injuries and inconsistencies. He is, however, the third leading scorer for the team with 14.7 points per game.
• Klay Thompson (Shooting Guard)
  Although Klay Thompson has been demoted to the bench, starting only eight of the 36 games he has played, he is capable of turning back the clock with a virtuoso performance now and then. He is averaging 11.2 points per game.