Mavericks Preview: Dallas Mavericks vs. Atlanta Hawks

After a crushing 123-118 overtime loss Sunday night in Miami, the Dallas Mavericks will take a quick flight up to Atlanta to face Atlanta Hawks Monday evening. The Hawks have a significant rest advantage as Dallas will have played 2 games in the time since Atlanta last played on November 22nd when they lost to the Chicago Bulls. This is Atlanta’s first home game in over a week, while Dallas is on the road for their 3rd straight game.

The Hawks are a team without an identity these days. Trae Young is still getting his due as he averages 22 points and 12 assists per game. match. However, Young is shooting under 40% from the floor and turning the ball over nearly 5 times per game. match. Jalen Johnson has taken a leap averaging nearly 20 points per game to go along with 10 rebounds per night. Atlanta have lost three of their last four games. But because the Eastern Conference is a raging tire fire, it’s good enough to be comfortably in the mix for 7th.

Dallas, while righting the ship after losing four straight, lost for the first time in five games Sunday night in Miami. Dallas led by four with under three minutes remaining, but thanks to some questionable decisions by Jason Kidd and poor shot-making by Spencer Dinwiddie (1/12 FG, 0/9 3PM), the Mavericks were unable to close out the victory. There’s no rest for the wicked though, so it’s time to turn the page and get ready for the next one. Here are a few things to know before this matchup.

The great barrier thief

Perhaps the biggest revelation about these Hawks is the emergence of Dyson Daniels. Acquired in the Dejounte Murray trade with New Orleans, the young Aussie has made a splash in his short time with the Hawks. There are 3 players in the entire NBA that average more than 2 steals per game: Daniels, Jalen Williams and Tari Eason. There is only one player who averages more than 3 steals per game. game: Dyson Daniels is that player as he averages 3.2 steals per game. game. He averages 1.0 more steals per game. game than both Williams and Eason.

Without Doncic on the court, expect to see Daniels draw the Kyrie matchup early. It should be excellent theater to see one of the best ball handlers in the league go up against an excellent disruptor.

Defense optional

Atlanta’s defense is mediocre at best, cleaning the glass the Hawks have the 20th best defensive rating in the league. However, the Hawks defense is worst in the league at preventing made shots, giving up 57% eFG. Even with guys like Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels, it’s really hard to hide guys like Trae Young, Clint Capela and rookie Zaccharie Risacher. Off the bench, Deandre Hunter isn’t the plus defensively that you’d think he should be. Garrison Matthews & “vs Mavs All-Star” David Roddy aren’t stalwarts on that end either. There will be plenty of points for Dallas in this one.

To conserve energy

Dallas, while facing a softer portion of the schedule, has played a lot of basketball in recent weeks. The Mavericks play their 3rd game in 4 nights on Monday, with all 3 being in different cities. Without Doncic, I would expect to see the rotation expand to try to keep the workload manageable for guys like Irving and Washington.

This is a game that Dallas can win, provided they play with the energy and effort required. Atlanta isn’t a great team, but if you let them hang around, they can do enough to beat you. Already this year they have taken down Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. However, this is also a team that has lost to the Blazers, Wizards & Bulls twice. Dallas needs to bring the game to them early to secure this win. But after playing overtime just 24 hours before, it’s going to be tough sledding for the Mavericks in this one.

That’s how you see

Tipoff time from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA is scheduled for 6:30 CT. The game will be televised nationally on NBA TV. Here in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the game can be seen on KFAA Ch. 29 (or your local TEGNA affiliate) or streaming on Mavs TV.