Dirk Nowitzki scored 29 points and added 11 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks zipped by the New York Knicks 113-97 in Madison Square Garden. Dirk's counterpart Amar'e Stoudemire had 21 points and five boards as the Knicks were outrebounded by 20. New York gave up 10 offensive rebounds to Dallas, impressively bad considered the Mavericks hit half their shots, thus limiting opportunities for o-boards. On the other end, the Knicks came up with just five offensive rebounds of their own in 49 opportunities, a pitifully low 10 percent.
Mavericks Vs. Knicks: Dirk Nowitzki Outplays Amar’e Stoudemire, Leads Dallas Over Amazing Shrinking New York
Stoudemire's centers were universally awful. Starter Ronny Turiaf lasted just nine minutes, contributing in total one missed field goal, an assist, a steal and a foul. Reserve rookie Timofey Mozgov was hardly better, with four points and one rebound in 15 minutes. That lack of production left Amar'e holding the bag at center, where he found it impossible to guard Tyson Chandler (15 points, three offensive rebounds and eight on defense). That also left New York's cavalry of small forwards checking Dirk Nowitzki, always a terrible idea.
Jose Barea contributed 22 off the bench, and he might very well be the new Jason Terry. Jason Kidd had 10 assists, none prettier than a behind-the-back drop to Chandler in the second half. Danilo Gallinari racked up 27 for New York, largely by getting to the line. But Raymond Felton was awful from the floor (4-14), and his nine assists and zero turnovers can't reverse that.
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