Preview: Mavericks (20-11) at Knicks (15-16)

Earl K. Sneed reports from New York and previews the Dallas Mavericks' Sunday matinee matchup against Jeremy Lin, Tyson Chandler and the Knicks as the defending champions try to extend their six-game winning streak.

NEW YORK — It was originally tabbed as the Dallas Mavericks’ first matchup against last season’s defensive captain, center Tyson Chandler, and the New York Knicks. But Sunday the defending champions will find themselves right in the center of "Linsanity" as the emergence of Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin has the entire globe captivated.

Looking to extend their current six-game winning streak, the Mavericks (20-11) will step into Madison Square Garden ready to tangle with Chandler for the first time since he signed a multi-year contract in New York after an offseason of free agency. And while showing that the loss of Chandler has done little to slow the Mavs’ pursuit of a repeat, the team will try to hand the Knicks (15-16) a second straight loss after Lin led the New York team to seven straight victories before an 89-85 home defeat to New Orleans Friday night.

Hoping for another strong defensive effort after Friday night’s 82-75 road win in Philadelphia, Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki and his teammates will try to limit the Knicks’ high-octane attack while bidding for a seventh straight victory overall. Meanwhile, the shorthanded Mavs will again try not to let their recent spell of injuries and off-the-court issues slow down their rise in the Western Conference standings.

“We kind of take everybody’s best hit and we still play well,” Nowitzki said after a come-from-behind win in Philly. “And, obviously, we had some personal tragedies in the last couple days, so hopefully we can get some of our guys back.

“They’ve been playing great,” the 7-footer said of the Knicks. “You know, [Mike] D’Antoni teams love to play fast, up-and-down style. So, I think our goal has got to be get back and force them more into a halfcourt game. Our halfcourt defense has been unbelievable. … I think that’s got to be our No. 1 key. Just get back and make them take some tough shots.”

Despite facing a 15-point deficit in the first half against the 76ers, the Mavs staged a comeback Friday night behind 24 of Nowitzki’s game-high 28 points in the second half. The win came despite the fact that the squad was without three main contributors in the backcourt as reserve guard Delonte West missed his first game due to a fractured right ring finger that required surgery while both Jason Terry and Rodrigue Beaubois were away from the team due to personal reasons.

But with Terry expected to return Sunday and their 11-time All-Star leading the way, the Mavericks hope to continue streaking upward with just three games remaining until the break.

“If we keep getting the ball to Dirk, it doesn’t matter how bad things are looking,” second-year guard Dominique Jones said after scoring a season-high 12 points against Philly. “He’s gonna make some things happen.”

“We feel like if we get stops we can get hot at any time,” Nowitzki added. “Nobody panicked, we talked about it at halftime and we were in a good position. We just had to get some stops, get some run-outs and get some easier stuff. … Once we got stops there in the third quarter, we were able to push the pace a little bit and get some stuff in transition.”

Holding the Sixers to just eight points in the aforementioned third period, the Mavericks were well on their way to moving to the top of the NBA in defensive field goal percentage. And after surrendering just 41.4 percent from the field to opposing teams entering Sunday’s matchup with the Knicks, the Mavs will again rely on their defense against Lin and his henchmen.

With All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony (groin) likely to miss his seventh straight game, the Dallas defense will turn its attention to Lin, Chandler and big man Amar’e Stoudemire. Tasting the bitterness of defeat for the first time as a starter thanks to the Hornets, Lin scored 26 points on 8-of-18 shooting and dished out five assists but also committing a league-high nine turnovers (eight in the first half) in the loss. He averaged 24.4 points and 9.1 assists during the Knicks’ seven straight wins.

Still, with New York also adding sharpshooter J.R. Smith with a free-agent signing on Friday, the Mavericks say it’s important that they not also get captivated by the worldwide hype surrounding Linsanity as they try to finish off a two-game road trip with a victory.

“They’ve been playing very well up there,” forward Shawn Marion admitted. “But, you know, [Lin] ain’t the only person on that team. They’ve got a solid team up there. We know Mike D’Antoni’s system, we know what they want to do and it’s not just about him, it’s about the team. We’ve got to go up there and just do what we’ve gotta do to get the win.”

“It’s about opportunity and the system that they have and style of play,” Jones added with high praise for his Summer League teammate two years ago. “[Lin] fits into it perfect and his teammates have shown that they have confidence in him. It’s just all working out great for him. I don’t know if he’s the next Michael Jordan, but he’s basically lifting the whole NBA up.”

Note: Riding a six-game winning streak, the Mavs return to action Sunday when they travel to meet Tyson Chandler and the New York Knicks to end a two-game road trip. The game will air nationally on ABC at noon CT.

The Mavs return to the American Airlines Center next Monday night when they host the Boston Celtics. Dallas leads the season series 1-0 after a 90-85 win in Boston on Jan. 11. That game will air nationally on TNT at 7 p.m. CT. Fans are encouraged to arrive early due to the early tipoff. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.

Single-game tickets are on sale and available at the American Airlines Center North Box Office, online at mavs.com, via phone by calling 214-747-MAVS or 1-800-4NBA-TIX and all Ticketmaster outlets (Fiesta Grocery Stores, Wal-Mart, Simon Mall in Garland and the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano).

Dr. Pepper Family Nights are here! Plans include four Mavs tickets and four McDonald’s extra value meals, starting at $49. Visit mavs.com or call 214-747-MAVS for a schedule of games and to purchase tickets.