Knicks vs. Mavericks Preview: How, Who to Watch in Post-Trade Deadline Special

Time will tell how their rosters look, but the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks will tip off their post-trade deadline slates on Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

Between injuries and the trade deadline, the rosters of the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks could look quite different come Thursday night.

The Knicks and Mavericks are set to do battle for the second time this season at Madison Square Garden, completing their yearly interconference showdown. Thursday's game will be the first of the post-deadline slate for each side and each is dealing with several ailments. New York's injury report, already cursed with the confirmed absences of OG Anunoby and Julius Randle, is headlined by Jalen Brunson, who is listed as questionable after leaving Tuesday's tilt against Memphis with a turned ankle. 

Brunson's injury comes as his original NBA employers descend upon Manhattan for their annual visit. Dallas has likewise dealt with medical questions in its lineup, as stars Luka Doncic (nose) and Kyrie Irving (thumb) are both listed as probable but their respective afflictions couldn't keep them out of the first half of a metropolitan debut on Tuesday in Brooklyn. Irving led the way with 36 points while Doncic added 35 more while pairing them with 18 rebounds in a 119-107 triumph. 

The Mavericks won the first meeting 128-124 back on Jan. 11, as Irving led the way with a 44-point, 10-assist double-double. Dallas will look to sweep the season series for the second consecutive season, having earned a 121-100 victory on MSG hardwood in the last go-around.

What: Dallas Mavericks (28-23) @ New York Knicks (33-18)

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

When/Watch: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Who's Favored: DAL -3.5

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Keep An Eye On: Miles McBride

If Brunson is out for any length, McBride would probably be the next man to step up, especially with Quentin Grimes still working off knee woes. Enough can't be said about the way he has done so to date, as he's been one of the primary backcourt depth stars that has risen to the occasion since the Immanuel Quickley trade. Any Brunson absence will likely place McBride in the starting five, and, while it's impossible to fully make up for his scoring, the third-year man has at least expanded his confidence from the field, averaging just under 13 points a game on over 11 tries in the last three.

Maverick to Watch: Tim Hardaway Jr.

In yet another homecoming special, don't expect Hardaway, a first-round pick of New York's from 2013, to get any sort of video tribute. Hardaway has taken things personally in recent matchups with the Knicks: over his past three reunions, Hardaway has sunk 17 three-pointers, including six alone in Dallas' win in North Texas on Jan. 11. Dealing with Doncic and Irving is bad enough, but the Mavericks are truly dangerous when Hardaway is on his scoring game, as they're 11-4 when Hardaway scores at least 20.

They Said It

"It's a normal NBA season. You have so many games. If you look at our beginning schedule, it was crazy. You're going to have times, especially before All-Star (break), where guys have been banged up or vice versa, you have guys coming back around this time. That's why you have a team, guys being ready to step up. We have the luxury of having multiple guys that can step up. We're a little banged up, but at the end of the day, that's the NBA life. You have to go from there."-Isaiah Hartenstein on the Knicks surviving injuries (h/t CBS Sports)

Knicks 'Quickly Rejected' Quentin Grimes Trade With Old Enemy

Prediction

The name of the game for this Knicks season has been overcoming adversity, but potentially missing five regulars (maybe more depending on how the trade deadline works out) feels like just a little too much to handle. Even in its depleted state, New York is more than capable of keeping things close, but asking for a win in this aura is a tall task.

Mavericks 120, Knicks 116