NBA Picks: Dallas Mavericks vs. New York Knicks

Dallas Mavericks vs. New York Knicks
Monday, 2/24/14, 7:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Dallas -3.5
Current Betting Line: Dallas -3.5
Opening Total: 205
Current Total: 205.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Dallas Mavericks F Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 24.6 points per game in his career against the New York Knicks

Dallas has won back-to-back games, including a 113-102 victory over the Detroit Pistons as three-point road favorites last Saturday, while going OVER the betting total in three consecutive contests. The Mavericks have four of five probable starters averaging in double figures, with forward Dirk Nowitzki leading the way at 21.8 points a contest. The franchise possesses a 16-14 SU road record, including a 9-5 mark when taking on Eastern Conference opponents, which is important to consider when making your NBA betting picks. Dallas is 7-6 SU and 4-9 ATS as road favorites of 3.5 to 6 points the last two-plus seasons.

The Mavericks have won 19 of their last 24 meetings against the Knicks, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines Monday night. Dallas as dropped two straight at Madison Square Garden against New York—directly following a five-game winning streak in that situation. Nowitzki is averaging 24.6 points per game in 27 career games in this non-conference series.

New York has dropped and failed to cover the spread its last two games, including a 107-98 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks as 1.5-point road underdogs last Saturday, while going OVER the betting total for the fifth time in six contests. The Knicks have three of five probable starters averaging in double figures, with forward Carmelo Anthony leading the way in scoring 27.9 points a contest. The team is 12-18 SU at home this season, including a dismal 3-9 versus Western Conference foes. New York is 0-3 SUATS as home underdogs of 3.5 to 6 points this season.

The Knicks picked up a 92-80 road victory over the Mavericks in their first meeting this season on Jan. 5, but it’s important to point out that they’ve failed to win the season series in this matchup since the 1999-00 campaign. Anthony is second in the league in terms of scoring, but the club is 13-7 when he dishes out four or more assists in a game.