MAVS -- SB NationMavericks vs. Hawks Preview
3 things to watch as Atlanta comes to town
After a largely unsuccessful five-game road trip, the Dallas Mavericks return to the friendly confines of the American Airlines center for a battle with Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks. This will be the first time these two teams meet this season and, of course, the 2018 NBA draft means that any Dallas and Atlanta matchup will be sensationalized. The latest chapter in this “rivalry” finds the Hawks at 22-22 on the season; however, they enter this contest riding a three-game win streak. Having lost four out of their last five games, Dallas desperately needs to protect home court and emerge with a victory.
Reinforcements are coming
On Tuesday evening, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Green are likely to return to the lineup against the Hawks after lengthy absences. Their return could not come at a better time, as Tim Hardaway Jr. was already ruled out for a second straight game with an ankle sprain, joining Maxi Kleber on the shelf. Green and Finney-Smith are the best defensive wings on the Mavs’ roster by a country mile and they have been missed...
How will the Mavericks handle Trae Young?
Young is having a bit of a down year shooting the ball, but he’s improved his percentages over the last 10 games (46.9 FG%, 39.2% from three) and is still averaging 27 points and 10 assists per-game on the season. Simply put, he’s a problem offensively and you need to scheme around him. In the past, the Mavericks have had success blitzing Young out of the pick and roll and forcing the ball out of his hands. We know that Jason Kidd loves to employ this strategy against superstar players. However, Dejounte Murray’s presence as a high-end secondary playmaker makes this coverage a little more risky than in years past.
Who wins the turnover battle?
Both the Mavericks and Hawks are extremely low turnover teams, coming in at second (12.4) and third (12.9) in the NBA, respectively, in turnovers per-game. It makes sense when you think about it; both teams employ extremely high usage guards who handle the ball far more than anyone else on the roster. They ask the gifted decision makers to make decisions, letting them rack up turnovers while the rest of the roster keeps giveaways to a minimum. What’s interesting is that the Mavericks are 29th in the league in pace, while Atlanta comes in at 8th. The Hawks are able to push the ball and run in transition off turnovers without sacrificing additional turnovers on the other end of the floor. If the Mavericks are able to win the turnover battle with Atlanta, they should look to push the pace a little more, especially with Josh Green and Jaden Hardy in the rotation.
Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
Moderators: dms269, HMFFL, Jamaaliver
Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- Jamaaliver
- Forum Mod - Hawks
- Posts: 45,081
- And1: 17,121
- Joined: Sep 22, 2005
- Location: Officially a citizen of the World...
- Contact:
-
Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
Spoiler:
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- Jamaaliver
- Forum Mod - Hawks
- Posts: 45,081
- And1: 17,121
- Joined: Sep 22, 2005
- Location: Officially a citizen of the World...
- Contact:
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- Jamaaliver
- Forum Mod - Hawks
- Posts: 45,081
- And1: 17,121
- Joined: Sep 22, 2005
- Location: Officially a citizen of the World...
- Contact:
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- Jamaaliver
- Forum Mod - Hawks
- Posts: 45,081
- And1: 17,121
- Joined: Sep 22, 2005
- Location: Officially a citizen of the World...
- Contact:
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- Jamaaliver
- Forum Mod - Hawks
- Posts: 45,081
- And1: 17,121
- Joined: Sep 22, 2005
- Location: Officially a citizen of the World...
- Contact:
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- Jamaaliver
- Forum Mod - Hawks
- Posts: 45,081
- And1: 17,121
- Joined: Sep 22, 2005
- Location: Officially a citizen of the World...
- Contact:
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 20,203
- And1: 12,892
- Joined: Mar 11, 2014
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
?s=20&t=EO1UhlUpzjeqshxFstennw?s=20&t=CqD0HSN_OanLv6Qqnhhdlg
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- Jamaaliver
- Forum Mod - Hawks
- Posts: 45,081
- And1: 17,121
- Joined: Sep 22, 2005
- Location: Officially a citizen of the World...
- Contact:
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 20,203
- And1: 12,892
- Joined: Mar 11, 2014
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
?s=20&t=n16oR9qf8oah6z-2PpQPoA
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- Jamaaliver
- Forum Mod - Hawks
- Posts: 45,081
- And1: 17,121
- Joined: Sep 22, 2005
- Location: Officially a citizen of the World...
- Contact:
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 20,203
- And1: 12,892
- Joined: Mar 11, 2014
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
?s=20&t=n05HUeG-se9rFLcoC7lLsA?s=20&t=n05HUeG-se9rFLcoC7lLsA
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- Jamaaliver
- Forum Mod - Hawks
- Posts: 45,081
- And1: 17,121
- Joined: Sep 22, 2005
- Location: Officially a citizen of the World...
- Contact:
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 13,834
- And1: 14,771
- Joined: Apr 19, 2009
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
Good win for the Hawks you guys can move up to 6th if healthy.
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
-
- Bench Warmer
- Posts: 1,469
- And1: 1,489
- Joined: Jun 18, 2004
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs

JUST SO NO ONE FORGETS:
Hawks sign Favors to a 10 day contract. Since then, they are undefeated @ 4-0 !!

Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- HMFFL
- Global Mod
- Posts: 53,860
- And1: 10,298
- Joined: Mar 10, 2004
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
Fast Break Points:
Atlanta 12
Dallas 15
Points In The Paint:
Atlanta 56
Dallas 52
Hawks won three of four periods. Mavs won the third 33-35
Great win for Atlanta.
Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app
Atlanta 12
Dallas 15
Points In The Paint:
Atlanta 56
Dallas 52
Hawks won three of four periods. Mavs won the third 33-35
Great win for Atlanta.
Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- Jamaaliver
- Forum Mod - Hawks
- Posts: 45,081
- And1: 17,121
- Joined: Sep 22, 2005
- Location: Officially a citizen of the World...
- Contact:
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
HMFFL wrote:Hawks won three of four periods. Mavs won the third 33-35
Great win for Atlanta.
I've been as annoyed by Trae as you this season, but he played a really disciplined, focused game last night. Fighting off the urge to take those unnecessary deep threes and ruining the offensive rhythm.
I'd be very okay if he played under control like this more often and took over games only when necessary...or when he's in the zone.
Last night was more like vintage CPIII or Ty Halliburton. And the team's offense benefitted greatly.
Also...dat defense!!!
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- Jamaaliver
- Forum Mod - Hawks
- Posts: 45,081
- And1: 17,121
- Joined: Sep 22, 2005
- Location: Officially a citizen of the World...
- Contact:
-
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
-
- Assistant Coach
- Posts: 4,269
- And1: 2,652
- Joined: May 23, 2015
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
Yeah, something is happening on the court. I still hate what's going on with owner and FO but the team is playing more intelligently and winning over teams we usually struggle with
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
- HMFFL
- Global Mod
- Posts: 53,860
- And1: 10,298
- Joined: Mar 10, 2004
Re: Game Thread: Hawks vs Mavs
Things are looking much improved in the last two weeks. I hope this streak continues.Jamaaliver wrote:HMFFL wrote:Hawks won three of four periods. Mavs won the third 33-35
Great win for Atlanta.
I've been as annoyed by Trae as you this season, but he played a really disciplined, focused game last night. Fighting off the urge to take those unnecessary deep threes and ruining the offensive rhythm.
I'd be very okay if he played under control like this more often and took over games only when necessary...or when he's in the zone.
Last night was more like vintage CPIII or Ty Halliburton. And the team's offense benefitted greatly.
Also...dat defense!!!
Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app