Despite having eight available players, the New York Knicks (33-19) held their own from the start against a strong Dallas Mavericks (29-23) team tonight at Madison Square Garden. Both sides traded buckets through the first quarter, and although Luka Donu010diu0107 hot-dogged for the MSG crowd, Donte DiVincenzo’s hot touch kept the Knicks close at halftime.
Post-intermission, Isaiah Hartenstein was ruled out with a sore Achilles, but the seven remaining Knicks fought a talented Mavericks club down to the wire. Donte DiVincenzo scored 36 points while making seven of 12 triples (and 13-of-26 from the field), Josh Hart recorded a triple-double (23 points, 12 assists, and 10 boards), and Precious Achiuwa had a 14-rebound, 13-point double-double in a losing—but not disappointing—effort.