Final: Mavs 103, Knicks 95

Box Score | Highlights

Behind the Box Score

Outside of Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks shot a modest 12 of 30 from the field in the first half, but seven offensive rebounds led to several second chances, which led to some easy putbacks or spot-up Js. All the extra chances helped the Knicks score 1.13 points per possession in the opening act.

Harrison Barnes surpassed the 20-point barrier tonight after failing to do so in his last three games, which was his longest streak of the season. The guy’s consistency has been impressive.

Notebook

  • The Mavs said they needed to recapture the momentum and energy they played with during Sunday’s thumping of the Lakers, and the club did just that tonight. Dallas started hot offensively and played sound defense all night long, with the exception of allowing too many second chances for the coaches’ liking. Dallas has now won five of its last seven games. That’s pretty good.

  • Dorian Finney-Smith is consistently one of the best plus/minus guys for the Mavericks, especially in games he starts. Tonight he was +17, starting in place of Wesley Matthews. Generally, when a guy is always in the positive, that tells you something about that player, even if he’s not a big scorer. The last Mav who fit that profile was Jae Crowder, who’s now having a solid career as a big-minute guy with the Boston Celtics. Finney-Smith is just one of those glue guys, who fills in all the cracks at both ends and rarely makes a mistake. There is tremendous value in having that type of player on your roster.

  • Seth Curry got off to another hot start tonight, following up his nine-point first quarter on Sunday by scoring 12 in the opening frame tonight. He finished with 20 on the night, on 8-of-19 shooting. The Mavs’ offense has taken a leap since Curry was inserted into the starting lineup, and his individual numbers have been very impressive these last few weeks.

  • Closing quarters is important business, and tonight the Knicks got the better of the Mavs in the final moments of the second and third quarters, shaving six points off the Mavs’ lead in the second and five in the third quarters. Dallas has generally closed quarters well lately, which is why that stood out so much tonight.

  • Andrew Bogut made his return to action tonight after missing the previous six games due to a hamstring injury. He came off the bench as he had been before missing time. Tonight the Australian big man finished with two points, four rebounds, and three blocks in 21 minutes. Meanwhile, the Mavs were without both J.J. Barea and Wesley Matthews, who will also miss tomorrow night’s game after suffering a right hip strain in Sunday’s win.

    What’s Next

    The Mavs (16-29) play the Oklahoma City Thunder (26-19) on Thursday at Chesapeake Energy Arena at 7 p.m. Central.

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