New York Knicks AT Dallas Mavericks
Mar 10, 2011 at 9:30 PM EST
Opening Line:  Dallas -7
Current Line:  Dallas -6
Opening Total:  215.5
Current Total:  215
Opening Moneyline:  Dal -225 / NY +205
Current Moneyline:  Dal -225 / NY +201

New York is riding a four game win streak and has definitely looked improved since adding forward Carmelo Anthony.  Anthony has already paid dividends.  He has scored 30+ in both his last two games and just hit a game winning shot against Memphis.

“It was one of them shots, that you know is going to go in,” Anthony said

New York is making a run at Atlanta for the 5th seed in the East and it is possible they could face the Magic in the first round.  Keeping their momentum tonight may be difficult, given the fact that Dallas has won 16 of the last 18 meetings.  Little has changed in the Dallas nucleus over the past few seasons while the Knicks are revamped, thus making the recent history between the teams of less importance.

Some betting trends:

New York is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games and 4-2 SU in their last 6 on the road.  New York is 4-8 SU int heir last 12 games on the road and they are 1-9 SU in their last 10 games against the Mavs.  New York is 5-13 ATS in their last 18 games against Dallas and the total has gone OVER in 4 of New York’s last 5 games against Dallas.  New York is 1-9 SU in their last 10 games on the road in Dallas.

Dallas is 19-3 SU In their last 22 games and they are 9-1 SU in their last 10 at home.  The total has gone OVER in 10 of Dallas’ last 12 games at home and the total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas’ last 5 games against the Knicks.  Dallas is 9-1 SU in their last 10 games against the Knicks and they are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games at home against the Knicks.  Dallas is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 home games against the Knicks.

Key Matchups:

Amar’e Stoudemire vs. Dirk Nowitzki

While it is doubtful that either player covers the other, this the matchup in terms of offensive output.  Amar’e has scored more this season (26.3 ppg) than Dirk has (23.0 ppg), and since acquiring Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e has been even more dominant.  Over the last 4 games, Amar’e is averaging 31 points per game.  Dirk and Amar’e games are very different.  Dirk relies on an array of finesse shots and is able to get off his fade away against any opponent.  Amar’e has an outside shot but takes it to the hole a lot more than Nowitzki.  Both players are average defenders at best, which is why they probably won’t cover one another; that and the need to avoid foul trouble.

Chauncey Billups vs. Jason Kidd

This battle of two dinosaur point guards should be a good one.  Neither is particularly athletic at this point in their respective careers, but their guile and veteran leadership has rendered them valuable deep into their thirties.  Billups may not necessarily be an upgrade over Felton in terms of how D’Antoni’s offense works, but he’s obviously more than just a “capable” point guard.  He also gives New York a legitimate third option since they lost Galinari in the deal to bring in Melo.

New York is an entirely different team since the Carmelo trade, but the Knicks are still somewhat erratic on the road and sit at .500 on the season on the road.  For the Knicks to cover the spread and possibly win the game they are going to have to get off to a good start and play some defense.