Mavericks 110, Knicks 97: Scenes from the third-quarter slaughterhouse

Wow. The New York Knicks appeared to be in the middle of a bad-team dogfight against the Dallas Mavericks. They even held a three-point lead at the half.

Then the third quarter started.

The “THIRD QUARTER OF DOOM” bit the Knicks hard Tuesday night, as the Mavericks ran off a 19-0 run en route to a 26-12 quarter. Yep...12 points. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored nice, Trey Burke hit a three, and that was it.

The Knicks kinda, sorta made it a game in the fourth, drawing to within 4 at one point, but a nonstop barrage of ghastly Michael Beasley isolations (good coaching, Jeff Hornacek), and some madcap, switch-happy defense did in the Knickerbockers. Your final score: 110-97. I’d say this was an embarrassment, but, y’know...TANNNNNNK.

Your lone highlight: a fantastic Troy Williams dunk.

Burke was probably the top gun for New York, scoring 16 points in 14 minutes. He didn’t play until midway through the third. Again, just top-notch coaching all-around.

Recap to come.