Sunday afternoon in the NBA we will see the Dallas Mavericks travel to the New York to take on the New York Knicks. The game is scheduled for a 1:00 pm tipoff and will be televised live on ABC. Currently the Maveraicks are favored by 2 points with the total being set at 186 for this game.
Free Analysis: Two players familiar with NBA word play face off Sunday afternoon when Vince Carter and the Dallas Mavericks tangle with Jeremy Lin and the host New York Knicks. Carter was known as “Vinsanity” – among other things – during the prime of his illustrious career. Now a role player in Dallas, Carter will get his first look at “Linsanity,” the latest craze to envelop the league and its fans. This is a series the Mavs have owned as they have taken 17 of its last 19 meetings with the Knicks and five straight at MSG. Dirk Nowitzki's 29.4 scoring average there since the beginning of the 2001-02 season is his best in any road arena, while overall he has averaged 24.2 ppg and 89 rpg in his career vs the Knicks. Nowitzki had 29 points and 11 rebounds in a 113-97 win at MSG last February, and was one of three Mavericks to score at least 20 along with Shawn Marion and Jason Terry in a 127-109 home victory March 10 as Dallas swept the season series. Nowitzki is averaging 24.3 points on 50.0 percent shooting over his last eight games. He scored 24 of his 28 points in the second half Friday to rally Dallas from a 15-point deficit for an 82-75 win at Philadelphia. The Mavs should get some help with Jason Terry returning for this one. Terry did not play Friday due to "a personal situation" according to coach Rick Carlisle, and also missed Wednesday's victory over Denver due to a strained right quad, but is expected to return Sunday. The Mavs come in having won 6 in a row and have played well at both ends of the floor as they have scored 97.7 ppg while allowing just 89.5 ppg over the stretch. Overall the Mavs have been one of the best at the defensive as they have allowed just 90.8 ppg (5th) on 41.4% shooting (1st). After experiencing his first loss as an NBA starter, New York Knicks point guardJeremy Lin might get some help.There's at least a slight chance that Baron Davis and J.R. Smith could be added to the rotation Sunday afternoon. Lin has become a national sensation since he first scored 25 points off the bench in a 99-92 win over New Jersey on Feb. 4, then led New York (15-16) to six more victories in a row while in the starting lineup. The former Harvard standout totaled 136 points in his first five starts, the most by any player since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976, and he had 26 against visiting New Orleans on Friday. However, he also committed nine turnovers -- tied for the most in the league this season -- in the Knicks' 89-85 defeat. New York inked Davis to a one-year deal Dec. 19 but a herniated disc in his back has kept him from playing. The veteran guard might remain out until after next weekend's All-Star break. The Knicks signed Smith, who had been playing in China after five seasons in Denver, on Friday but D'Antoni said his preference is for the swingman not to play before he's had a chance to practice. Smith, though, is reportedly in shape and D'Antoni says he "will see what happens." The Knicks will likely be without All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony for a seventh straight game because of a strained right groin. D'Antoni said it's likely Anthony will return for Monday night's game against New Jersey. Knicks center Tyson Chandler, who started 74 games for the Mavericks in 2010-11, is expected to be in the lineup to face his former team for the first time since a three-team trade Dec. 10.The Knicks are 12th in the league in scoring (95.2 ppg) and 12th in points allowed (93.9 ppg).
Free Pick: The Knicks have been playing much better offensively of late, but for me i will be looking at their defense, which has played well all year long. The Knicks come in allowing just 93.9 ppg, including just 89.6 ppg in their last 8 games. They have allowed 95 pg at home but that's ok as the mavs come in averaging just 91.6 ppg on the road. Speaking of the Mavs, they have played great defense this year as they come in ranked 5th in points allowed (90.8) and 1st in defensive FG% (41.4%), while in their last 5 games they have allowed just 88.4 ppg on 38.1% shooting. This is a team that ois locked in defensively right now and should be able to keep Linsanity and the rest of the Knicks down, while New York's defense does the same vs a Mavs team that struggles to score on the road. I say go with the Under in this one.
Free Picks: Mavs at Knicks Betting
http://PregameVideos.com - Step up game for Knicks/LINsanity and Mavs are much better team when rested plus other factors NBA bettors need to know about Mavs at Knicks (Sunday, February 19, 2012) from Pregame.com - Including predictions from Bryan Leonard and analysis from host Vegas Runner.