Dallas Mavericks: What to watch for in Mavs at Knicks

The Dallas Mavericks face the New York Knicks on April 2. That matchup means more talk about the Kristaps Porzingis trade. KP will face his former team for just the third time and second in Madison Square Garden. The Mavericks won the trade by netting KP, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke, but New York still has two first-round picks coming to sway it in their favor.

Dallas has won two straight and is heating up for the stretch run. Luka Doncic has scored 25 or more points in six of his last seven games as the Mavs offense is vaulting to the top of the league.

Will the Knicks be able to slow Dallas down on their home floor? What should fans be watching for on Friday night? Let us take a closer look.

Dallas Mavericks at New York Knicks: How to watch

Start time: 6:30 p.m. CT or 7:30 p.m. ET

How to watch: NBA TV (national), Bally Sports Southwest (Dallas market), MSG Network (Knicks market)

Watch online: Fox Sports Go (Dallas market)

Dallas Mavericks at New York Knicks injury updates

The Mavs have ruled out J.J. Redick (heel), Tyrell Terry (personal), and Willie Cauley-Stein (health and safety) for Friday’s game. They are the only three players on the NBA’s official injury report.

Mitchell Robinson had foot surgery and is out of the foreseeable future. The injury presents the Knicks with a difficult decision this offseason and led to a Mavericks rumor. New York also listed R.J. Barrett (ankle) and Derrick Rose (ankle) as questionable to face Dallas.

Be sure to check Twitter just before tipoff for updates on Barrett and Rose, plus for any late-breaking injury information.

Dallas Mavericks at New York Knicks storyline to follow: KP takes on his former team

The Knicks nailed the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by taking Kristaps Porzingis. He was a starter from day one and worked his way into an All-Star in 2018. New York had a young star to build around. Then, KP tore his ACL and was quickly traded to Dallas.

Porzingis returned for the first time in Nov. 2019. He had 20 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks, but the Knicks got the last laugh by picking up the win. New York swept the season series from the Mavericks last year.

Fans know KP would like nothing more than to have a massive game against a former team as the Mavericks pick up a victory. They are hot, and Porzingis is catching fire too. He wants to bounce back from his fourth-quarter benching on Wednesday night. Expect a massive night and an entertaining game at the Garden. Do not miss it.