Mavericks vs. Knicks NBA expert prediction and odds for Thursday, Feb. 8 (Bet on Dallas)

The Dallas Mavericks already have a win over the New York Knicks this season without Luka Doncic in action, and now it’s the Knicks that are banged up heading into Thursday’s matchup on TNT. 

Jalen Brunson is listed as questionable for the Knicks, and Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, Quentin Grimes and Mitchell Robinson are all listed as out. That’s a bad sign for a Knicks team that has struggled for offense at times with Randle sidelined. 

If Brunson sits, New York is going to be in trouble, and oddsmakers have already set the Knicks as home underdogs for just the sixth time this season. 

Dallas has not lost to the Knicks since the 2021-22 season, and Doncic and Kyrie Irving will look to keep that streak going at Madison Square Garden.

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Let’s dive into the latest odds and my best bet for this matchup: 

Mavericks vs. Knicks odds, spread and total

Mavericks vs. Knicks how to watch

• Date: Thursday, Feb. 8
• Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
• Venue: Madison Square Garden
• How to watch (TV): TNT
• Mavericks record: 28-23
• Knicks record: 33-18

Mavericks vs. Knicks injury reports

Mavericks injury report

• Luka Doncic – probable
• Kyrie Irving – probable
• Dereck Lively II – out
• Dante Exum – questionable
• Greg Brown III – out
• Maxi Kleber – questionable

Knicks injury report

• Jalen Brunson – questionable
• OG Anunoby – out
• Julius Randle – out
• Quentin Grimes – out
• Mitchell Robinson – out

Mavericks vs. Knicks key players to watch

Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic: Doncic missed the first meeting against New York, but he’s played well against the Knicks in his career, averaging 29.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 8.4 assists per in 10 games. Luka is having an MVP-caliber season, and he should benefit from two of New York’s best defenders (Anunoby and Grimes) being out for this game. 

New York Knicks

Donte DiVincenzo: If Brunson is forced to sit, DiVincenzo becomes New York’s de-facto No. 1 option on offense. The sharpshooting guard has been on fire since Randle and Anunoby went down, averaging 27.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game over his last five contests. He’s shooting 22.0 shots and 14.2 3-pointers per game in that stretch. 

Mavericks vs. Knicks prediction and pick

Brunson turned his ankle at the end of the Knicks win over Memphis on Tuesday and did not return, a significant concern for an already depleted New York roster. 

This season, Brunson missed two games with a calf injury, but when he’s been listed on the injury report he has not suited up. 

I am taking a shot on the Knicks resting their All-Star guard in this matchup to avoid him making this injury any worse. 

Dallas has been elite as a road favorite, going 2-0 ATS this week and 10-2 ATS overall in the 2023-24 season. Even though the Knicks are 3-1-1 ATS as home dogs, this could be a much different New York team than the one we’re used to seeing.

In the first meeting between these teams in Dallas, the Mavs shot the lights out without Doncic to escape with a win. 

Doncic playing in this game should be the edge to push Dallas over the top. 

Pick: Mavericks -5 (-105)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.