Dallas Mavericks vs. NY Knicks: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks (20-11) will take on the upset-minded New York Knicks (15-16) Sunday afternoon in the Big Apple. The Knicks had won seven consecutive games before falling on their home court Friday night to the disappointing New Orleans Hornets.

The hype surrounding second-year point guard and recently-named starter Jeremy Lin will no doubt continue up and through tipoff of this marquee matchup.

Where: Madison Square Garden; New York City

When: Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at 1 p.m. ET

Watch: ABC or stream live with NBA League Pass

Listen:  1050 ESPN (New York);  ESPN 103.3 (Dallas)

Betting Line

Mavericks -2 over Knicks, according to BetOnline.com. This is a fair point spread considering how strong Dallas has been playing defensively as of late. Their defense ranks fifth in the league and is allowing less than 91 points per game this season.

Over/Under: 186, according to BetOnline.com. Again, this is a solid total considering that neither team has been an offensive juggernaut this season. Also remember that Carmelo Anthony is out for this matchup, making things tougher for the Knicks offense.

Key Injuries:

New York

Carmelo Anthony (groin) and Baron Davis (back) are both out for Sunday's matchup with Dallas, but they could return for Monday's game, according to ESPN.com. 

Dallas

Jason Terry (quadriceps), who is day-to-day, is expected to play in Sunday's matchup with New York, according to ESPN.com. Delonte West (finger) is out for Sunday's matchup with New York after having surgery on a fractured right finger on Friday, according to ESPN.com.

What They're Saying:

Some of those in the Mavs' front office—including president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh—knew that Lin had the potential to successfully run an NBA offense before he burst onto the scene this past month.

"

He makes everybody else around him better. That's a sign of a real player, a lot of times, and we've been through this before with a guy like Steve Nash, people have a hard time projecting certain players. I just know every team those guys were on won. Jeremy's got some of the same characteristics.

"

How will Lin perform after suffering his first loss as the Knicks' starting point guard? No one knows for sure, but he is certainly taking the bad with the good. Notes Lin: "Whoever wants to credit me for this last seven games, then I definitely deserve this one on my shoulders, that's fine with me."

"

 

"

Most Important Player to Watch: Jeremy Lin

Without question, all eyes will be on No. 17 Sunday afternoon. Everyone wants to know what the young point guard will do to get New York back on track after suffering an 89-85 setback Friday night at MSG.

Lin has scored at least 20 points in seven of the Knicks' last eight games and has three double-doubles in the last six games for NY. He will need to cut down turnovers in order to be successful on Sunday, though; Lin coughed it up nine times Friday night. The Knicks were unable to recover. 

Key Matchup: Jason Kidd vs. Jeremy Lin

The veteran and the youngster will face off center stage Sunday afternoon when Jason Kidd and Lin go head-to-head in a brilliant point guard battle.

Kidd poured in nine points, nine rebounds and eight assists Friday night against the 76ers, and he'll need more of the same if the Mavs are to continue their winning ways on the road.

Lin will have Kidd beat in the athleticism department and may even outshine the forgotten legend through 48 minutes of basketball, but there is no doubt that each floor general will impact Sunday's result. 

Prediction: Mavs 97, Knicks 88

The Mavs have won six in a row and three straight on the road. The Knicks are coming off an embarrassing loss, and even though revenge sounds sweet, don't bet on it.

Dallas will set the tone with defense and ride out reigning Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki down the stretch to win their seventh consecutive game.