NBA: Dallas Mavericks @ New York Knicks Odds and Betting Preview

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK – After their seven game winning streak was abruptly ended by the Hornets on Friday evening, the New York Knicks will be looking for a return to winning ways this Sunday afternoon as they host the defending champion Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Gardens.

The Mavericks have been installed as the two and a half point favourites for the encounter, with either side a 10/11 chance (bet £11 to make £10 profit) to cover the spread at Ladbrokes. Punters can back Dallas on the money line at a best price of 3/4 with Bet Victor whilst New York are a 6/5 chance with Bet365.

The Knicks fell to their first loss of the Jeremy Lin era on Friday night as a sluggish start saw the side defeated 89-85 by the lowly Hornets at Madison Square Gardens and fall to 15-16 for the season. Lin still managed to turn in a fine performance with 26 points, five assists and four steals but struggled with ball security, as the former Harvard star committed a career-high nine turnovers. Turnovers have been the one glaring weakness in Lin’s game since he began playing serious minutes a fortnight ago, with the Knicks’ starting point guard turning the ball over a league-record forty-five times in his first seven starts, and something he will need to improve if the Knicks are to become a legitimate title contender by the end of the season.

New York should be boosted by the addition of former Nuggets star JR Smith, with the talented but temperamental shooting guard signing for the Knicks after his stint in China, who should add some much-needed perimeter shooting to the side. Smith signed with the Knicks only yesterday but may make his debut as soon as this evening. Former All-Star point guard Baron Davis, who had been anointed the franchise’s potential savour before Lin’s arrival, could also make his long-awaited debut in the encounter. Carmelo Anthony is likely to miss out once again with a groin injury.

The Mavericks head into this evening’s contest in an impressive vein of form, with the NBA champions currently on a six game winning streak that has seen the side move to 20-11 for the season. Crucially franchise star Dirk Nowitzki is back to his best after a slow start, with last year’s Finals MVP averaging 24.3 points on 50.0 percent shooting over his last eight games. Dallas have dominated the recent head to head matchups between the two sides, winning 17 of their last 19 meetings with the Knicks including five straight at Madison Square Gardens.

The Over/Under for the total points in the game has been set at 186, with Betfred offering 10/11 on either side of that line. Punters can back the Mavericks to score over or under 94.5 points at 10/11 with William Hill whilst the line for the Knick’s total points in the game has been set at 91.5 with the same firm.

In the double result market, Dallas/Dallas is the favourite at a best price of 5/4 with Bet365 whilst New York/Dallas is a 9/2 chance at William Hill. New York can be backed to be leading at the interval and go on to win the match at 23/10 with Bet365 whilst Dallas/New York is an 11/2 chance with William Hill.

The Knicks are currently available at a best price of 40/1 to win the NBA Championship with Boylesports whilst the Mavericks are a 20/1 shot to defend their crown with SkyBet. 

The Game Tips Off at 0100 ET/1800 GMT. 

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