Atlanta Hawks: Hawks vs. Mavs Pre Game Report

The Atlanta Hawks get back into action tonight as they travel to The Lone Star State for a matchup with the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday evening.  Both teams sit at 13-9

The four day break couldn’t have come at a better time for the Hawks.  Since their home win against the Lakers on Friday night, the team has had a chance to step back, take a breather and get back to some basics.  With the Hawks’ schedule early on this season, there hasn’t been a lot of time for that.  I was at the Hawks’ practice on Monday afternoon and when asked about how everything was going, Coach Bud simply responded by saying “It was good to have a practice.”  With so many back to backs, holidays and travel days, it is hard for teams to get many true practices in during the season and the Hawks were able to get in a few over the last couple of days and it should be on display tonight in Dallas.

The Hawks are coming off of a fairly easy win against the Lakers on Friday night, a game in which the win was never really in doubt.  Al Horford led the Hawks with 16 points and the team had four others in double figures including the suddenly surging Mike Scott who has found his shot of late scoring in double figures in 3 of his last seven games while playing less than 20 minutes in each contest.  With Tiago Splitter still hobbled, Scott has provided the Hawks with a much needed boost over the last two weeks.

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The Mavericks last played on Monday evening in New York as they took down the Knicks 104-97.  That win marked two in a row for the Mavs who are 13-9 and have been dealing with the same inconsistency issue that the Hawks have early in the season.  But Monday night’s game was really a chance for future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki to go up against the player that has been compared to him for some time, Kristaps Porzingis.  Both players led their respective teams in scoring and Porzingis almost single handedly brought the Knicks back in this one.

This will be the first meeting between these two teams who both currently sit at 13-9 on the season.  The Hawks took both games from the Mavs last season with Dennis Schroder leading the way in both contests.  But this is a new look Mavs team with key cogs from last year’s squad having signed elsewhere in free agency.  Tyson Chandler, Al-Farouq Aminu, Monta Ellis and Rajon Rondo are all wearing different uniforms but the team hasn’t skipped a beat adding form Hawks’ big man Zaza Pachulia and Wes Matthews to the mix.

Keys to the Game:

Make Dirk Uncomfortable: Even at his advanced age (37), Dirk is still a force to be reckoned with and a guy that the Mav’s

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41), of Germany, dribbles against Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

count on heavily in terms of scoring.  He’s coming off the worst statistical year of his career a season ago and has rebounded nicely.  He’s shooting 50% overall and 44% from three point range, a career high.  If you give Dirk space, he’s going to make you pay.  And a hand in his face doesn’t work that well either as he’s got that one footed step back that just drives opponents crazy as it is virtually unguardable with his 7 foot frame.  Paul Millsap is a bit undersized in terms of length to guard Dirk but he is a lot more physical and should use that to his advantage.  Dirk has taken a lot of contact in his career and when opposing players are physical with him and knock him off of his spots he usually isn’t as effective.  The Hawks also have Mike Muscala on the bench to chase Dirk around with a bit more length.  Muscala has six fouls and should use them all if it means Dirk can’t get comfortable.

Attack the Basket: Raymond Felton and Deron Williams are hardly a tandem of PG’s that strike fear into opposing teams on the defensive end.  Neither player has been known for their defensive prowess over the last few seasons which should make getting into the lane a little easier for Teague and Schroder.  On top of that, the Mavs lack any true rim protection as Pachulia, Dirk and Dwight Powell just aren’t shot blockers.  The Hawks should shy away from their tendency to get trigger happy with long jump shots and make it a point to attack the basket with Teague, Schroder and Bazemore.  All three guys can get into the lane and can finish.  And against a Mavs front line that lacks any true shot blockers along with their porous defense on the perimeter as PG’s are concerned, Jeff Teague should be in for a big night.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Atlanta Hawks

• PG: Jeff Teague
• SG: Kyle Korver
• SF: Thabo Sefolosha
• PF: Paul Millsap
• C: Al Horford

Notes: Tiago Splitter (hip) was a full participant at practice on Monday and should be ready to return.

Dallas Mavericks

• PG: Deron Williams
• SG: Raymond Felton
• SF: Wes Matthews
• PF: Dirk Nowitzki
• C: Zaza Pachulia

Notes: Devin Harris (ribs) and J.J. Barea (ankle) both missed Monday’s game against the Knicks.

Other News & Notes:

• Lamar Patterson notched a near triple-double in his one game in the D-League over the weekend
• Dennis Schroder has failed to score in double figures in each of his last 8 games
• Dirk Nowitzki is just 102 points away from passing Shaq for 6th place All-Time
• The Hawks are on the road at Dallas and OKC before returning home for a three game home stand
• Tonight’s game will be broadcast on Fox Sports South (TV) and 92.9 The Game (Radio)

visit www.SoaringDownSouth.com for expert Atlanta Hawks news and analysis