They fought tooth and nail with the NBA’s best all night. But it didn’t matter as Isiah Thomas’ Knicks fell in excruciating fashion to the Mavericks 105-103.

The defeat proved costly as the Nets lost to Detroit by five and Indiana fell to Orlando. Instead of gaining a valuable game on the now eighth place Nets, the Knicks (31-41) remained two back with just 10 left to play.

You certainly couldn’t fault the effort tonight even though one too many of a sloppy 26 turnovers ultimately did them in. It’s hard to complain though because of what they were up against. The Mavs are hard enough to beat as it is but the Orange and Blue weren’t fazed despite being shorthanded yet again at American Airlines Center.

They stayed with it and took the Mavs to the wire. Unfortunately, another heartbreaking conclusion would doom them when Stephon Marbury was blocked cleanly by Josh Howard before the buzzer sounded. It ruined what was an utterly brilliant night from Coney Island’s Finest who finished with a game high 43 on 14-of-29 shooting including 5-for-12 from downtown and 10-of-13 from the line. Unfortunately, what will be remembered was Steph’s costly turnover when he was doubled in the backcourt down one with no timeouts left.

Down one after MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki sank his second free throw, Marbury was forced to give the ball up but his pass for Renaldo Balkman was intercepted by Jason Terry, who was then fouled with 17 seconds left. After Terry made one-of-two to put Dallas up a bucket, Marbury got the ball in the halfcourt set from rookie Mardy Collins. Unstoppable the whole night (especially the final quarter where he tried to will his team to an upset victory), No.3 made a strong move to the hole. However, his layup attempt was swatted away by Howard off the glass in bounds with two ticks to go. As the ball rolled to the top of the key, time ran out as Marbury and teammates were left with broken hearts.
In defeat, the Knicks got solid efforts from rookies Collins (8 pts, 3 dimes, 2 boards, 1 block, 1 steal in 33 mins) and Balkman (12 pts, 5 boards, 2 offensive, 4 steals in 32 mins). Both helped ignite a third quarter comeback from down 10 to keep their team in the game. They each finished the game getting valuable experience.

If there is one thing that can be taken from this game and recent others, it’s that Thomas’ two first round picks don’t look one bit out of place. Remember when Balkman was labeled a bust on Draft Night last June? Look who’s getting the last laugh. All the South Carolina product does is work his ass off on D, get to rebounds and loose balls plus finish off fast breaks with dunks. He’s a bundle of energy just as the Knicks President/GM advertised. It’s also apparent that Collins plays a similar grinding style which was badly needed. If he can
improve his perimeter shot, the ex-Temple star will only get better.
Now, the Knicks must go back to the drawing board as they travel to New Orleans tomorrow night. Not an easy place to play or match-up. They must suck it up and come away with a ‘W’ regardless.

As for the Mavs, they improved to a ridiculous 61-11 (started season losing 4 of 6). The 61 wins are a new franchise mark. Nowitzki led the way with 30 including a perfect eight-for-eight from the charity stripe. He also achieved a milestone in the first quarter by hitting the 15,000 mark for his career. Congrats to the big fellow. Now go lead your team to their first NBA title!

If there was one difference between the teams Friday night, it was the all elusive makes from the free throw line that Thomas harped on after a recent Knicks’ defeat last week. The Mavs missed only four of their 39 while New York misfired on 11 of 37. That’s what separates an average team from a very good one. Maybe one day, Thomas’ club will get it right because it’s cost them a bundle of close games.