Game 34: Knicks at Mavericks

by Tommy Dee on January 8th, 2009 at 5:59 pm

Thanks to Chris Alvino for the info…

When: 8:30 P.M.
Where: Dallas
Watch: MSG

Starting Lineups:
Mavericks (21-13)
PG- Jason Kidd
SG- Antoine Wright
SF- Josh Howard
PF- Dirk Nowitzki
C- Erik Dampier
Rest of rotation: Jason Terry, Brandon Bass, D. Diop, J Barea

Knicks (13-19)
PG: Chris Duhon
SG: Quentin Richardson
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Jared Jeffries
C: David Lee
Rest of Rotation: Nate Robinson, Tim Thomas, Al Harrington, Eddy Curry

Injuries:

Thunder: N/A
Knicks: OUT: Danilo Gallinari (back)

GAME NOTES

Remember that November 16th game when the Mavericks came to the Garden, on a 5 game losing streak, and popped a Knick hope bubble in overtime? Remember when Nowitzki took over down the stretch and Josh Howard burnt us for 31? Well, that was then. Now, we don’t have Zach Randolph to throw up 27 points and grab 18 rebounds. This Maverick team is a far better team now than they were then.

Tonight, we go to Dallas to try and tame the best scoring duo in the league (statistically) in Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry. I bolded Terry’s name above, because while he comes off the bench, he plays 35 minutes per game and is one of their big threats (much like Al Harrington for us).

As if Duhon would not have his hands full with future HOF PG Jason Kidd, he has to deal with both Terry and Barea, a good young pg off their bench. Tonight would be a nice night to have another guard on this team.

Just a hunch, but look for Wilson Chandler to get the assignment on Dirk tonight. Lee will have his hands full with Damp and Diop in the paint. They are two big boys.

For tonight’s game, I do not want to say the Knicks cannot win, especially after taking down the Celtics, but it will be tough. Lee has to keep Damp out the paint by hitting his jumpers because he will not be able to overpower Damp inside.

But the bottom line is this: if the Knicks cannot contain Dirk, they will not win this game. Superstars seem to have their way with the Knicks, even when they are in slumps.

Also, look for Eddy Curry to make his first appearance of the season tonight. As always, let’s go Knicks!
  • Knicksfan42793

    Jared Jeffries is so bad on offense

  • harlemsdiplomat

    I’m in the gym watchin the game what happend n the 3rd quarter with the lil asain dude at the end of the knicks bench?

  • BluEandOrange

    Chris and Tommy, you guys had to have seen how the referees screwed the Knicks in the third quarter of this game.

    - Refs did not call goaltending on Wilson Chandler’s floater all though it was CLEARLY on the way down

    - David Lee was called for traveling although Howard should have been called for a reach in foul.

    - David Lee just got HAMMERED right now in 11:30 in the fourth quarter
    (Terry just missed the free throw from the Technical that D’Antoni got from this play; guess what? Terry MISSED! Why? Because the ball dont lie.

    What the hell is going on with these refs?

  • jcmoney

    Who does Chris Duhon think he is, Nate Robinson?

    Two baskets that could take the lead and he misses two semi contested layups.

    This reminds me of the last Dallas game, where we let many opportunities to win pass us by. The Mavs are consistently missing three pointers that would push the lead over the edge, and we still cant capitalize.

  • jcmoney

    And they finally make us pay. Very winnable game. What a waste of an effort. Player of the game is Eddy Curry who shot 1000% and is now averaging 48 points per 48 minutes.