The Dallas Mavericks (13-28) disappointed at the Jersey retirement of Derek Harper and lost to the New York Knicks (19-21) with 96:100. Like the whole team, Dirk Nowitzki has problems with the jump shot. The final phase is exciting, but the Knicks always had the right answer.
Dallas needed 3:30 minutes to score points on the scoreboard. The Knicks-Offense, on the other hand, was very fluid thanks to the careful Jarrett Jack (10,8 Assists) and so the guests found easy points early on. Kristaps Porzingis clicked with quick 11 points (5/7 FG) early. Even the lineup with three guards couldn’t get Dallas back into the game because Rick Carlilsle’s team did not have access to the game defensively. After all, the Mavs forced some turnovers with quick hands and didn’t let the game slip despite a weak shooting until the break, also because Dennis Smith Jr. to 52:56 with the horn.
During the break, Derek Harper, former Point Guard of the Mavs and Knicks, was honored and his number 12 was pulled under the ceiling of the American Airlines Center, showing interviews with former players such as Rolando Blackman, Fat Lever, Michael Finley and Patrick Ewing.
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Even after the switch, the Knicks had a better start and, thanks to the jumpers of Porzingis and Courtney Lee, took a two-digit lead again. Without the unicorn the guests could not think of much. The shotclock kept running down, New York remained uncountable for four minutes. With the Latvians, however, the Knicks stabilized themselves again after Devin Harris had brought the Mavs back to three points.
After that, however, nothing happened for the Mavs. The Knicks spun superbly and suddenly Dallas could no longer scorch. The Knicks had its highest lead in the middle of the fourth quarter with 13 points. Everything spoke in favour of New York, but the Mavs pushed up ball losses again. Barnes and Harris met from outside and suddenly it was 92:92 after a 15:2 run. It was a real fight now. Both teams played very physically, there were some private duels. Jack brought the Knicks with 31 seconds left on the clock by floater with 96:94 in front. Dallas then released Barea, but his threesome was too short. Lee sunk his free throws on the other side while Barnes was unable to counterattack. Again Lee finally made everything clear.
Best scorer of the Knicks was Porzingis with 29 points (9/25 FG). Enes Kanter (13.18 rebounds) and Kyle O’ Quinn (15.11) delivered strong double doubles. Frank Ntilikina (7.7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks) also filled the boxing score. For the Mavs, Harrison Barnes (25,10/22 FG) was the best caster. Wesley Matthews (14), Barea (11), Harris (11) and Smith (11) also scored double-digit points. Dirk Nowitzki (5.1/7 FG, 5 rebounds) did not achieve much. Kleber remained without points in his 19 minutes (0/3 FG, 4 rebounds), but provided a real highlight play with a brilliant block against Porzingis.
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Kristaps Porzingis. After a hot start and a nasty crossover against Nowitzki, there was not much going on for the Latvians, but without him the guests had huge problems to score points on the scoreboard. It was also defensive. The Mavs often came to the zone where Porzingis was already waiting. In the boxing score there was only one block, but the unicorn forced numerous misplaced throws (Barnes!) and gave away basket shots with its presence and length.
Dirk Nowitzki. The Knicks are a bad matchup for the oldie. Carlisle tried to hide the Germans in the defense against Lance Thomas, but it really didn’t work that way either. Offensively unlike the last few weeks no factor. In the fourth quarter he was looked for again early on, but the Würzburg player did not find his touch even late in the game.
Michael Beasley was missing from the Knicks because of ankle problems. In order to keep the second-unit offense going, Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek let Porzingis go with the reserveists on the field. In the first 15 minutes the Latvians only got one minute break. Hornacek then dusted Willy Hernangomez, who spent only 11 minutes on the floor in the last 16 games. After the break Porzingis had a break and the Knicks went smaller with Lance Thomas on the four.