The Knicks held on to beat the Mavericks 106-102 on Friday night in their most impressive overall performance of the season. >> Box Score

Five things to know about Friday's game...

1) The Knicks seemed to find a rhythm offensively against the Mavs, as their hot shooting saw them out to a 12-point lead late in the third quarter. The Mavs answered back, though, and with 5:44 to go the game was tied at 92-92. But thanks to some timely offense and some smothering defense, the Knicks built their lead back up to 99-92 with under three to play. Down the stretch, the Knicks made just enough of their free throws to maintain a three-point lead, and with under 30 seconds to go, a Luka Doncic three with a foot on the halfcourt logo was off the mark, and the Knicks went on to win the game.

2) Questions have been asked all season long about who on the team could step up to take over the reins as the team's starting point guard, and it's beginning to look more and more like Frank Ntilikina is the answer. The third-year guard once again showed an improved jump shot, as he went 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Ntilikina looked comfortable running the offense, played strong defense, and ended the night with 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists.

3) Kristaps Porzingis' first game against the Knicks was far and away the biggest storyline heading into the game, and the former Knicks' lottery pick balled out against his former club, notching 28 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks, fouling out in the final 30 seconds. Porzingis and Luka Doncic were a handful for the Knicks all night long, as that duo combined for 66 of the Mavs' 102 points. Doncic alone recorded a triple-double, with 38 points,13 rebounds and 10 assists.

4) Marcus Morris had a huge night offensively for the Knicks, as he notched his fourth game with at least 20 points this season. The Knicks forward totaled 29 points and was 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Morris played a team-high 40 minutes, and much of the Knicks' offense down the stretch seemed to go through him.

5) Without Mitchell Robinson, David Fizdale had to use his seventh different starting lineup in just nine game, but with Taj Gibson starting at center, Fizdale seemed to pull the right strings with the rotation. Damyean Dotson and Allonzo Trier both got early minutes after not playing much in the first few games of the year, and Bobby Portis provided a spark off the bench with 14 points. As a team, the Knicks shot the ball very well. In the first quarter alone, the Knicks shot 52 percent as a team, which pushed their lead at the end of the quarter to eight points. The Knicks were also hot from three-point range, and they 14-of-28 from deep on the night.

Highlights

No hesitation 👌 pic.twitter.com/dk2VQMsmVe
- NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 9, 2019

step 🔙. and-☝️ pic.twitter.com/DzX16A7eqj
- NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 9, 2019

BOBBY PORTIS 💥 pic.twitter.com/7MArizh22a
- NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 9, 2019

That dime, though 👀 pic.twitter.com/lHavGOayY6
- NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 9, 2019

FRAAAANNNKKKK pic.twitter.com/Ltjm2iOu7w
- Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 9, 2019

What's next

The Knicks head back home after this game in Dallas and will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.

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