The New York Knicks host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday in the first matchup of the season between the two teams. New York (24-24) is 14-9 at home this season, and the Knicks will aim for a bounce-back after two straight defeats. Dallas (25-21) is 14-11 away from home in 2020-21, and the Mavericks have won the last two games. JJ Redick (heel) and Willie Cauley-Stein (protocols) are out for Dallas. Mitchell Robinson (foot) is out for New York, with Derrick Rose (ankle) and RJ Barrett (ankle) listed as questionable.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET in New York. William Hill Sportsbook lists Dallas as a six-point favorite in the latest Mavericks vs. Knicks odds, while the over-under is set at 212.5. Before finalizing any Knicks vs. Mavericks picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, and it has returned more than $8,800 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past two-plus seasons. The model is up more than $800 on its top-rated picks this season, and dating back to last year, it entered Week 15 of the 2020-21 NBA schedule on a stunning 93-59 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Mavericks vs. Knicks. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Knicks vs. Mavericks:
- Mavericks vs. Knicks spread: Mavericks -6
- Mavericks vs. Knicks over-under: 212.5 points
- Mavericks vs. Knicks money line: Mavericks -220, Knicks +190
- DAL: The Mavericks are 6-4 against the spread in the last 10 games
- NYK: The Knicks are 6-4 against the spread in the last 10 games
Featured Game | New York Knicks vs. Dallas Mavericks
Why the Mavericks can cover
With Luka Doncic averaging 28.7 points, 8.9 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game, the Mavericks are potent offensively. Dallas is a top-10 offense for the season, scoring almost 1.14 points per possession, and Rick Carlisle’s team ranked No. 4 in the NBA in offense in March, scoring 1.169 points per possession. The Mavericks are No. 7 in the league in true shooting percentage (58.4 percent) and No. 4 in the league in 2-point shooting (55.6 percent).
Dallas is elite at taking care of the ball, committing a turnover on only 12.5 percent of possessions, and the Mavericks create free throw attempts at an above-average rate. While the Mavericks are not elite defensively, they are better than average in shooting efficiency allowed, defensive rebounding and points allowed in the paint. Furthermore, the Knicks are a bottom-10 team in offensive efficiency, shooting efficiency, 2-point shooting and assists, leaving the door open for Dallas to be effective on that end of the floor.
Why the Knicks can cover
New York’s offense is keyed by Julius Randle. Randle is enjoying a career-best season, averaging 23.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. In addition, the Knicks can take advantage of a porous Dallas defense. The Mavericks are a bottom-10 team in defensive efficiency, and Dallas is one of the worst teams in the league in forcing turnovers, generating a giveaway on only 12.7 percent of possessions.
On the other side, Dallas is much better, but the Mavericks don’t produce many offensive rebounds, and the Knicks are a top-10 defensive rebounding team. From there, the Knicks can shine with their elite-level defense. New York leads the NBA in points allowed (104.5 per game), field goal percentage allowed (44.2 percent) and 3-point shooting allowed (33.6 percent), with top-five marks in defensive efficiency (1.08 points allowed per possession) and assists allowed (22.9 per game).
How to make Knicks vs. Mavericks picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 217 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 60 percent of the time. You can get that pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Knicks vs. Mavericks? And which side of the spread hits well over 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that on a roll on NBA picks.