Knicks vs Mavericks Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

Covers

11 January 2024

Knicks vs Mavericks Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

Although O.G. Aunoby's impact has been felt all over the court in his first five games for New York, we expect the two-way forward to reap the benefits of Dallas' inconsistent defense on Thursday. Read more in our Knicks vs. Mavericks betting picks.

Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

Talk about a trade working out for both sides. Some New York Knicks fans initially weren’t too pleased with what they had to give up to get O.G. Anunoby, but they sure seem happy now.

New York has won five straight games, covering the spread in each since the trade, with Anunoby putting up some jaw-dropping plus-minus numbers.

The Knicks will try to stay hot when they visit the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, and the NBA odds like their chances with Luka Doncic sidelined with an ankle injury.

I break down this exciting matchup and bring you the best bet in my NBA picks and predictions for Knicks vs. Mavericks on January 11.

Knicks vs Mavericks odds

Knicks vs Mavericks predictions

The prevailing thought was that the New York Knicks overpaid when they traded for O.G. Anunoby.

The Knicks sent both RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickly and a pick in exchange for the 3-and-D wing. And while that may be a high price, the early returns are looking like the juice was worth the squeeze.

Now, Anunoby’s basic stat line doesn’t stand out too much. He is averaging 14.2 points, shooting 45.5% from 3-point range with 5.0 rebounds 1.0 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game. But there is no doubt he makes his teammates better around him, as the small forward boasts a stunning +111 plus-minus through his first five games with the Knicks.

Overall, New York is 5-0 straight up and against the spread so far with Anunoby, ranking 10th in offensive rating and leading the NBA in defensive rating and net rating over that span. And while Anunoby does a lot to elevate the level of his teammates, I’m looking at him to have a solid individual performance in tonight's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavs have struggled with consistency and defensive inefficiencies this season, and not having Luka Doncic means they won’t be able to cover up those weaknesses nearly as well.

Dallas ranks a middling 18th in defensive rating, 19th in opponent effective field goal percentage, and 20th in scoring defense, surrendering 116.9 points per game. They also rank 22nd in opponent 3-point attempts and 20th in opponent 3-pointers made per game.

Anunoby enters this matchup as an uber-efficient shooter, hitting 54.9% of his attempts so far with the Knicks. Meanwhile, Dallas ranks 22nd in field goal percentage and 23rd in scoring to opposing forwards. On top of that, the Mavs could be without one of their best wing defenders, as Grant Williams is questionable for this matchup with an ankle injury.

O.G. has gone Over 13.5 points twice in five games as a member of the Knicks. I like him to do it again in a favorable matchup against Dallas.

My best bet: O.G. Anunoby Over 13.5 points (-115)

Knicks vs Mavericks same-game parlay

O.G. Anunoby Over 13.5 points

Kicks -3.5

Knicks alternative team total Under 111.5

As always our same-game parlay tips off with my best bet, which for this NBA matchup is Anunoby to go Over 13.5 points. And with O.G. and the Knicks being able to focus their defensive efforts on Kyrie Irving, it may be hard for the Mavericks to keep up in this one.

Let's back New York on the spread, as Dallas has played four games without Doncic this season and is just 1-3 in those games. The lone win was over against a struggling Trail Blazers team and the losses came by an average of 16 points. Additionally, the Mavs could be without five of their top nine rotation pieces.

We'll also be closing out this SGP by banking on the Mavs to stay Under 111.5 points. They have only scored more than this number without Doncic just once, and now face a Knicks roster that leads the NBA in defensive rating since the trade for Anunoby.

Best NBA bonuses

No-sweat 3+ leg SGP every day
Bonus bets back if you don’t win! Claim Now

Bet $5 on any wager
Get $158 in bonus bets! Claim Now

Knicks vs Mavericks spread and Over/Under analysis

The Knicks opened this matchup as 3.5-point road favorites. While they were initially bet up to -4.5, they have since returned to the opening number, and I feel like there is some value in the road team here considering Doncic won’t be playing.

The Knicks have been uber-impressive over the last five games. They have a ridiculous net rating of 19.8 over that stretch, which not surprisingly leads the NBA. They have also been the best defense in the NBA in that period, never allowing more than 106 points in a game. That includes limiting Joel Embiid and the 76ers to 92 points in a blowout New York win.

The total hit the board at 230.5 and has been bet up to 233.5 as of early Thursday afternoon. However, I believe that number is high enough to consider the Under. The Mavs will have trouble putting up points without Doncic against this stout Knicks defense, so New York would have to do the heavy lifting here.