Porzingis Wins Matchup Loses Battle To Mavs

The battle of Europeans was in full action in Madison Square Garden on Monday night, during the Knicks 104-97 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Rookie Kristaps Porzingis, has been compared to NBA Champion Dirk Nowitzki, since he was drafted No.4 to the New York Knicks.

On Monday, the two would square off for the first time of the 20 year-old's career. Porzingis scored 28 points,but it wasn't enough to beat the Mavs and Dirk's 25 points. “He’s for real,” Nowitzki said. “He’s probably way ahead of the curve. When I was 20, I was scared to death out there. He’s almost averaging a double-double, so he’s way better than I was at 20. So the comparison’s probably unfair to me.”

The Knicks (10-12) looked finished  going into the fourth quarter, including early in the fourth when they trailed 92-72. But Porzingis led them back, scoring 12 in the fourth. “He’s for real,” Nowitzki said. “He’s probably way ahead of the curve. When I was 20, I was scared to death out there. He’s almost averaging a double-double, so he’s way better than I was at 20. So the comparison’s probably unfair to me.”

The  game could've been closer if not for Carmelo Anthony's fourth quarter, he was 0-for-3 with two offensive fouls and a technical foul in the final three minutes. Finishing with 17 points.