NBA: New York Knicks at Dallas Mavericks

nbaFor the first time since their six-man deal in the offseason, the Knicks take on Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks are currently the top offensive team in the league, but they are coming off two straight losses.

The Knicks entered the season with high expectations coming off a trip to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs but ended with a 37-45 record and the firing of coach Mike Woodson. Chandler was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks in a six-player deal in June when new Knicks president Phil Jackson cited a desire to change the chemistry of the franchise. Those comments offended the big man, who prides himself on professionalism and leadership.

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There is bound to be some competitive tension in the air tonight, as the Knickerbockers face off against the Dallas Mavericks for the first time since their offseason transaction. In a six-man deal, the Knicks received guards Jose Calderon and Shane Larkin and center Samuel Dalembert, in exchange for guard Raymond Felton and former Defensive Player of the Year, Tyson Chandler.

Chandler missed 20 games early last season because of a nondisplaced fracture of his right fibula, with the Knicks falling to 10 games under .500 in his absence. With a pained grin on his face, he said he believed he occasionally received too much blame for the Knicks' disappointing performance last season.

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Raymond Felton, on the other hand, who has been accustomed to playing in the starting lineup in his career, has not been much help to the Mavericks thus far. Felton missed the opening of the season due to a high ankle injury, but upon his recovery, he had to serve a four-game suspension for weapon charges brought against him last season. Monday night’s game against the Pacers was the first night he was eligible to play, and yet he remained inactive due to a stacked backcourt. Whether or not Felton will make his season debut against the Knicks has yet to be determined.

The Knicks are currently 1-7 on the road; their only victory came against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the much anticipated homecoming of LeBron James. Since then, very little has gone their way and tomorrow night, they face yet another challenge. Though the Mavericks are coming off a two-game losing streak, consisting of a loss to the Houston Rockets and an embarrassing defeat at the hands of a depleted Indiana Pacers team, they obviously have the upper hand. With Carmelo Anthony improbable to play, the Knicks have to stave off an offensively loaded Mavericks team; they currently lead the league, averaging 109.3 points per game.

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