Knicks vs. Mavericks prediction: NBA odds, picks, best bets

The Knicks were busy before the trade deadline Thursday, fortifying what they believe is a championship roster. 

But the late-morning move to bring in sharpshooters Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic from the Pistons will leave their already shorthanded roster even shorter for their matchup with the Mavericks on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.

Before completing the trade that sent Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn and Ryan Arcidiacono (and two second-round draft picks) to the worst team in the NBA, the Knicks already had a MASH unit full of injured players. 

(7:30 p.m. ET, MSG)

OG Anunoby (bone spur) is the latest regular starter to be ruled out for Thursday’s game, and star point guard Jalen Brunson (ankle, questionable) could be joining Anunoby, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson on the sideline.

Brunson, who avoided a serious ankle sprain in Tuesday’s win over the Grizzlies, will be a game-time decision.

Regardless of if Brunson suits up, the Knicks will be severely undermanned against the Mavericks, who opened as 1.5-point favorites but are now favored by 3.5 points.

The Knicks bounced back from Saturday’s loss to the Lakers by knocking off a shorthanded Grizzlies team, giving them their 10th victory in 11 games. New York failed to cover the 13-point spread, dropping its record to 12-8 as a home favorite this season.

Donte DiVincenzo continued his torrid scoring spree, putting up 32 points – his fifth straight game with at least 20.

The Mavs look to sweep their three-game road trip after winning the first two contests at Philadelphia and Brooklyn. After getting torched in the second half of a home loss to Milwaukee on Saturday, Dallas has stepped up defensively on the trip, allowing 102 and 107 points to the 76ers and Nets, respectively.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 71 points in Tuesday’s 119-107 victory over the Nets, while the Mavericks cashed the Under for the fourth straight game. 

Dallas will go for a season sweep of the Knicks after winning the first game at home, 128-124, as a 4.5-point underdog on Jan. 11.

The Mavs jumped out to an 18-point lead after the first quarter before New York chipped away at the deficit, but the Knicks couldn’t complete the comeback even though Doncic sat out with an ankle injury.

This time, it’s the Knicks who are injured and depleted after a big trade. The line suggests Brunson is expected to play, so keep an eye out for any news coming out of MSG closer to tipoff.

If Brunson suits up, take the points and back the Knicks in this spot at home.

They’ve been playing with a short deck throughout this hot streak, and there’s no reason to back away from them now, not when they’re getting 3.5 points.

Pick: Knicks +3.5 (-108, FanDuel) ***Provided Jalen Brunson plays