Five Mavs in Double Digits Down Knicks, 92-77

The Knicks hosted the Dallas Mavericks for the one and only time on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden and gave them a good fight for the first half. But the defending Western Conference champions lead the league in wins this season and pulled away in the third quarter to come out on top, 92-77.

Dallas was led by Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard, both game-high scorers with 24 points each. The Knicks played the Mavericks close and only trailed by three at the half, 46-43. Dallas went on a 9-0 run in the third quarter and widened their lead to 10 with 8:45 left in the third quarter.

“We came back out [in the second half], made some adjustments at the halftime, challenged some guys a little bit more and we really had a strong quarter defensively in the third,,” said Dallas head coach Avery Johnson. “We got control of the game. We were fortunate to win this game.”

“We rebounded the ball better and moved the ball, making plays,” Nowitzki said. “No one really forced any shots.”

Nate Robinson (19 points, 3 steals, 4 of 5 from 3 point range) gave the Knicks a spark off the bench and had a few moments where he ignited the crowd. Following a steal, he led a fast break that led to a slam by Renaldo Balkman, who had 7 points and 10 rebounds.

“They have the most energetic second unit in the NBA,” said Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Eddy Curry was finding success inside the paint in the early going and had 6 points in the first quarter. He finished with a double double (22 points, 12 boards), but it wasn’t enough.

“We definitely lost to a better team, but I thought if we could have played a little bit better, and you have to give them credit because they have something to do with us not playing well, “ Knicks head coach Isiah Thomas said.

The Knicks, who already have Jamaal Crawford and David Lee out with injuries, had Quentin Richardson on the bench the entire game with a sore lower back and also had Stephon Marbury and Channing Frye hurting after the loss. Marbury was hit in the shoulder late in the game and Frye was poked in the eye in the third quarter.

“We will recover,” said Thomas. “I expect us to play well the next game. We will patch up the troops, go out and win a basketball game.”

Dallas also had major contributions from Erick Dampier, who had 10 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block; Jason Terry (15 points, 6 assists); and Jerry Stackhouse ((10 points, 4 assists).

Dallas improved their record to 55-11 and the Knicks fell to 30-37. A playoff spot is still well within reach, and the Knicks hope to bounce back on Thursday when they host the Portland Trailblazers.

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