Mavericks Aim for Third Consecutive Win Against New York Knicks

The Dallas Mavericks are preparing for their encounter with the New York Knicks as they look to secure their third consecutive victory. This matchup will take place on Monday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.

Mavericks’ Recent Performance

The Mavericks (17-26) have shown signs of improvement, winning five of their last eight games. However, critics view this success as a temporary phase, emphasizing the significance of upcoming challenges. Their recent victories came against the struggling Utah Jazz, where they faced a team that has not been performing well.

Upcoming Challenges

Looking ahead, the Mavericks’ schedule intensifies. Their next 13 opponents collectively hold a record of 316-224. Among these teams, only the Milwaukee Bucks (17-24) and the Charlotte Hornets (15-27) have losing records. A rough stretch of games, potentially 1-12 or at best 3-10, looms ahead for Dallas.

Previous Meeting with the Knicks

In their last encounter on November 19, the Mavericks lost a close game to the Knicks, 113-111. Jalen Brunson, a former Maverick, led New York with 28 points. For Dallas, Naji Marshall and D’Angelo Russell each contributed 23 points off the bench.

Key Players to Watch

• Klay Thompson: In the Mavericks’ last games, Thompson scored a season-high 26 points and then 23 points in consecutive matches. His shooting from beyond the arc has been critical to the team’s recent success.
• Jalen Brunson: The Knicks may be without Brunson due to an ankle injury sustained last week, which has coincided with the team losing eight of their last ten games.

Mavericks’ Key to Success

The Mavericks’ recent wins have been fueled by effective 3-point shooting, maintaining an accuracy of over 41% in their last three victories. To remain competitive against the Knicks, this performance must continue.

Factors Affecting the Game

In addition to Thompson’s performance, the availability of Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis is uncertain due to injuries. The Mavericks’ success will hinge on their ability to minimize turnovers and maintain solid shooting percentages.

Game Details

The game between the Mavericks and Knicks is set to tip off at 4 p.m. CDT on Monday. Fans can watch the game locally on NBC or stream it via Peacock.