Hawks Put Five-Game Winning Streak On The Line Against Mavericks

 

With every passing game, it’s hard to tell what this Dallas Mavericks team is doing. First they defeat the Portland Trailblazers and Los Angeles Clippers but then they lose to teams like the Phoenix Suns. Even though five players scored in double figures, the Mavericks (11-25) didn’t have enough to put the Suns away on Thursday night losing 102-95. Phoenix came into the game with a 4-16 road record and were defeated in almost every statistical line, except rebounds and final score. 

 

Saturday night against the Atlanta Hawks will be the conclusion of a three-game homestand for the Mavericks as they look to go 2-1 in these three games. The Hawks (20-16) are looking like one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference as they’ve won 10 of their last 14 games including their last five straight. 

 

Recent Mavs Headlines

Bogut Expects To Be Traded Soon

Pierre Jackson Waived

 

The Hawks most recent win came against the Pelicans as Dennis Schroder scored 23 points while Paul Millsap (17 points 10 rebounds) and Dwight Howard (12 points, 11 rebounds) both had a double-double. The only positive thing to note here is that in recent headlines, Kyle Korver has been traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, so the Mavs won’t have to worry about him lighting it up from the outside.

 

Matchup To Watch

 

Center Position vs. Dwight Howard

 

Let’s be honest, the only player that can matchup against Howard will be Andrew Bogut. Salah Mejri would get pushed around like a rag doll and Dirk Nowitzki just doesn’t have the hops necessary to stands toe-to-toe with the big fella. Howard is a much bigger version of Tyson Chandler, who lit up the boards (18) in the Suns matchup against Dallas. The only question to ask is, will Bogut put forth any effort? In his role off the bench on Thursday night he recored 0 points, 0 rebounds and 5 personal fouls in 20 minutes of play. In hopes of me not breaking my TV, let’s just hope the Mavericks can get something going. 

 

Injury Report

 

Mavericks

J.J. Barea – Out (Achilles)

 

Hawks

Mike Scott – Day-To-Day (Leg)

Tiago Splitter – Out (Hamstring)

 

How To Watch

 

Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Fox Sports Southwest or listen locally on 103.3 ESPN Dallas.