The New York Knicks welcomed the Dallas Mavericks to Madison Square Garden Tuesday night, which was former Knicks center Tyson Chandler's first game back in New York since he was traded this past summer. It was much speculated how the New York fans will receive Chandler when he steps foot on the Garden hardwood. The fans gave him a warm ovation when the starting line ups were announced. This was the Knicks and Mavericks' second and final matchup of the season. The Mavericks won the first game back in Dallas, and the Knicks were looking to even things up tonight.

The Knicks started the game off slow, as they have done many times this season. Dallas quickly took a 19-point lead in the first half, but the Knicks slowly got back in it with some good defense. Then, in the fourth quarter, the Knicks let their intensity go back down, and Dallas jumped back up by 20 and sealed the game. 

Tyson Chandler had another good outing against the Knicks, going for eight points and 14 rebounds. Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks in scoring with 16 points, while only playing 23 minutes, and the Mavericks had five players score in double figures. 

Carmelo Anthony led all scorers with 26 points, going 11-of-23 from the floor and also led all players in minutes played with 37. Carmelo is playing a ton of minutes this season with a banged up knee. Tim Hardaway Jr. was the Knicks' second leading scorer with 14 points in his second straight start. New York were once again without guards Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith.

The Dallas Mavericks will have a short rest, as they will fly to Detroit tonight to face the Pistons tomorrow, December 17, at the Palace Of Auburn Hills. The New York Knicks will be in Chicago Thursday night to take on the Bulls. That game will be nationally televised on TNT. Tip-off is at 8 pm Eastern Standard Time.

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