Mavericks vs. Knicks Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for December 27 (Defenses Step Up in the First Half)

Mavericks vs. Knicks Game Info

• Date: Tuesday, December 27, 2022
• Time: 8:30 PM ET
• Venue: American Airlines Center -- Dallas, Texas
• Coverage: NBA TV, MSG, and BSSW

The 2022-23 NBA season continues on Tuesday with 10 more games, including a battle between the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks. The Knicks rank sixth in the Eastern Conference with an 18-16 record, while the Mavericks check in seventh in the Western Conference with an 18-16 record as well.

New York enters Tuesday on a three-game losing streak after it fell short in a 119-112 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. Meanwhile, Dallas is in the midst of a three-game winning streak that includes a 124-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Which streak will grow tonight?

Mavericks vs. Knicks Odds & Spread

All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Mavericks vs Knicks Betting Information

Favorite	Spread	Favorite Spread Odds	Underdog Spread Odds	Total	Over Total Odds	Under Total Odds	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline
Mavericks	-5.5	-	-	220.5	-110	-110	-225	188

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: DAL: (-200) | NYK: (+168)
• Spread: DAL: -5 (-110) | NYK: +5 (-110)
• Total: 218.5 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Mavericks enter this contest as notable home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 8:30 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 219 points, which is below average compared to Tuesday's projected totals.

Mavericks vs. Knicks Betting Trends

• The Mavericks won 46 games against the spread last season, while failing to cover or pushing 36 times.
• As 5.5-point underdogs or more, the Knicks went 11-14 against the spread last season.
• Mavericks games went over the point total 31 out of 82 times last season.
• There were 39 Knicks games (out of 82) that went over the total last season.

Mavericks vs. Knicks Prediction & Pick

The Knicks had won eight straight games prior to their losing streak and need to turn things around in order to avoid free-fall in the standings. The may be tough considering the Mavericks are 13-5 at home this year. Dallas allows only 105.9 points per game at American Airlines Center (T-No. 4 in NBA).

Luka Doncic is the name to watch out in this matchup given he averages 26.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game against the Knicks in his career. He also ranks second in the NBA in points per game (32.8), behind only Philadelphia's Joel Embiid. Doncic is clearly not messing around in 2022.

New York is 1-6 straight up in its last seven games against a Southwest Division opponent, so give me Dallas here.

Final Score Prediction: Mavericks: 111 | Knicks: 104

Mavericks vs. Knicks Best Bet

Both Dallas (55.1) and New York (56.7) rank among the top-12 teams in first half points allowed per game. Each side is relying on defense to build early leads before the clock runs out and halftime arrives. Keep in mind the Mavericks also ranks 21st in first half points scored per home game (56.8).

That makes betting on a low-scoring first half the way to go on Tuesday. The first half total has hit the under in 12 of Dallas' 18 home games as well as in 10 of New York's 16 away games. There's no doubt that Doncic will get his buckets, but look for the role players in this game to start off a bit slow.

Bet: First Half Total Points Under 112 (-110)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.