The Knicks got off to a bad start in Dallas, scoring only 15 points in the first quarter, and the home team nipped in the bud the subsequent attempts to get back into the game by coach Tom Thibodeau’s boys. The Mavs’ victory, the 4th in 5 games played without Luka Doncic, was the result of excellent performances by Kyrie Irving (23 points and 7 rebounds) and Naji Marshall, inserted in the quintet in place of the other absentee Klay Thompson and author of a 24-point performance. For New York, there was a Karl-Anthony Towns with 25 points and 14 rebounds, but it was too little to snatch the victory on the road.
It cannot be said that Jalen Brunson did not try once again to make his old fans miss him, because in the Dallas game the great ex was the best on the court with 37 points, 7 assists and 14/21 shooting. The Knicks star, however, is too alone, and the Mavs prevail thanks to an excellent team effort.