According to James Foglio of Sportscasting on Tuesday, the New York Knicks fan base booed the Knicks on Monday during a 114-97 loss to the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden. New York entered the game as a 12.5 point favourite, but lost at home by 17 points. This was the second time in a week that the Knicks entered the game as a double digit favourite but lost. Last Wednesday, the Knicks were an 11 point favourite on the road against the Sacramento Kings. However, it was the Knicks that lost by 11 points, by a score of 112-101. The bottom line is when your favourite team loses a game they are expected to win comfortably by the odds makers, and they are the ones getting blasted on their own court, I would boo too.
In Monday’s loss to the Mavericks, Dallas found a way to win without two of their star players–guard Kyrie Irving (still out with a torn ACL) and power forward Anthony Davis (out six weeks with a hand injury). It was simply a dominant first half by Dallas as they outscored New York 75-47.
Five Mavericks reached double digits in points. Shooting guard Max Christie of Arlington Heights, Illinois led the way with 26 points. Small forward Naji Marshall of Atlantic City, New Jersey had 19 points, 2025 NBA first overall pick and small forward Cooper Flagg of Newport, Maine had 18 points, center Moussa Cisse of Conakry, Guinea had 15 points and small forward Klay Thompson of Los Angeles, California had 14 points. Cisse and Thompson reached double digits coming off the bench. Cisse had 15 points in under 20 minutes (19 minutes and 49 seconds to be precise).
With the win, the Mavericks improved to 18 wins and 26 losses. The Knicks dropped to 25 wins and 18 losses.
