DALLAS — The Knicks played with house money last night in Dallas. A victory against the mighty Mavericks in their fourth game in five nights would have been gravy.
But instead of just getting blown out, the dead-legged Knicks spilled that gravy on their tie in a no-D evening in Big D.
Not only did the Knicks lose 127-109 at American Airlines Arena to snap their three-game winning streak, but they could have lost Amar’e Stoudemire for Sunday’s Garden game vs. the Pacers.
Stoudemire picked up his magic-number 16th technical foul during the Knicks’ wretched first half, making him eligible for a one-game suspension, but the NBA rescinded the call Friday.
Adding insult to injury, Corey Brewer, a player the Knicks obtained in the 13-player Anthony trade and then later bought out, came back to bite them last night. A spirited Brewer finished seven points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. He also played fiery defense while the Mavericks exploded for 72 points in the first half, the highest output the Knicks have allowed this season.
As for the technical, Stoudemire got entangled with Dallas’ Brendan Haywood and wrestled himself free, pushing him lightly with 9:37 left in the half. Stoudemire and Haywood both received double technicals.
After an oncourt chat with referee Bennett Salvatore, Stoudemire said he believes the technical will be rescinded.
“I hope so,” Stoudemire said, when asked if he would play Sunday. “It wasn’t nothing. Me and Brendan was not involved in any type of altercation. We were actually laughing about it after that, and the official pretty much agreed with us that it wasn’t bad, so hopefully I’ll get that rescinded.”
“[It was] not even a shove,” Stoudemire added. “I got tangled up and kind of pulled out. That was it.”
Making matters worse, Stoudemire also reinjured his left shoulder that has been bothering him most of the season. Tyson Chandler landed on it early in the first quarter. Stoudemire, whose had a stinger since December, wore a large wrapping during timeouts but played on and played well, finishing with 36 points, shooting 12 of 27 from the field and 12 of 13 from the free-throw line.
“Just a will to win,” Stoudemire said of playing through pain.
Carmelo Anthony hoped to have his partner in crime Sunday.
“I don’t think that technical was called for,” he said. “Hopefully the NBA will give that back to him.”
Stoudemire hadn’t picked up a technical in eight games — which was his longest stretch of being technical-free. Stoudemire already has had one T rescinded this season. Stoudemire could face further suspensions beyond Sunday. Every two technicals after that means another one-game suspension.
Before the game, Brewer told The Post he would have loved to stay in New York if coach D’Antoni wanted him.
“You could tell [I wasn’t going to play],” Brewer said. “I had been there a week. I didn’t play one game, then was inactive for two games, so I kind of felt it was best to go somewhere else and have a chance to play.
“I would’ve loved to have a chance,” he said. “I felt great coming to New York.”
Brewer looked like a man on a mission, starting 3 of 3 with two monster slams. Brewer got his first bucket, stealing the ball from Anthony Carter in the backcourt and going in for a stuff. Moments later, Brewer drove the lane and soared for a one-handed slam.
In the third quarter, with the Knicks making a mini-rally, Brewer swiped the ball from Anthony after Anthony grabbed a defensive rebound.
Last night’s outcome wasn’t hard to predict because the Knicks were playing their fourth game in five nights and the second night of a back-to-back against 47-18 Dallas, which has won 20 of 23 games.
Dirk Nowitzki finished with 23 points for the Mavericks. Shawn Marion had 22, and Jason Terry tore the Knicks up in the first half with 16 of his 21.
Point guard Chauncey Billups missed his sixth straight game but should be back Sunday. Nevertheless, if Stoudemire is not, the Knicks’ big 3 will have to wait longer before being reunited.
One night after his game-winner in Memphis, Anthony had a quiet game, shooting 5 of 15 with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
“I think the travel caught up with us, to be honest with you,” Anthony said. “We’re still confident, still on a high. Some nights you just can’t find it.”
D’Antoni said the heavy schedule hurt his team.
“I just don’t think we had enough energy,” he said. “We came out like we played seven games in 10 nights. I thought we were really tired to start the game. We came out flat and it got away from us.”