ATLANTA, GEORGIA — The Mavericks defeated the Hawks 122-116 snapping their six game losing streak and grabbed a much needed win to hopefully turn the season around.
All players were fully engaged and had no plans to lose another game to extend their losing streak. The best asset for the Mavericks in the first quarter was how successful they were parlaying turnovers into scoring opportunities. Dallas put the clamps down on most of the Hawks possessions grabbing 5 steals in the first quarter as a result the Hawks finished the first quarter shooting 37% from floor while the Mavericks converted 41% of their shots. Dallas had a consistent flow in the transition game and that is where they made their bacon.
The Mavericks finished the first quarter with a lead for the second consecutive game and when Dallas has a lead at the end of the 1st quarter they are 7-2 this season. Really good odds, but after the ebbs and flows Dallas has experienced this season, nothing is certain for this Mavericks squad.
Dallas had one of their better defensive outings this season, but struggles from the three point line and from the three point line made it a much easier task for the Hawks to remain in the game. Dallas converted on 40% of their shots from the field while the Hawks cashed in on 50% of their shots having a much better scoring performance in the second quarter compared to the first quarter. The turning point came when Atlanta took the lead after a 30 foot three pointer from Trae Young making his lone three pointer of the half, and maintained their lead going into halftime. Luka Doncic did give the Mavericks a boost of confidence going into the half by knocking down a three right before time expired to bring the lead to within 3 points.
The defensive effort from the Mavericks was the highlight of the first half. Dallas finished the half stealing the ball 7 times, recorded 3 blocks, and defended the perimeter well. Everything worked in Dallas’s favor on the defensive end.
The third quarter was a back and forth affair. One team would cash in and in the ensuing possession the other team would convert on the other end, and both teams had similar performances from the field with Dallas converting 48% and the Hawks converting on 47% of their shots. Tim Hardaway Jr made his presence felt and went on a hot streak knocking down all 4 of his shot attempts helping the Mavericks separate before the end of the third quarter. Dallas eventually took control of the game and grabbed a 88-83 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Entering the fourth quarter, the Mavericks pulled it together and finally came alive on offense. The Mavericks made their first three shots to start the quarter to push their lead to double digits and Kristaps Porzingis and Dorian Finney-Smith went off converting 64% of the shots they put up. Like in their last outing, the Mavericks allowed their opponent back into the game with very little time left. The Hawks went on a mini run in the late parts of the fourth quarter to bring the Mavericks lead to within 3 points. The Mavericks free throw shooting was clutch and each time the Hawks attempted to send them to the line, they knocked them down. Dallas put the cap on the Hawks comeback attempt and ended their six game long losing streak.
This win was an all around team effort. Six Maverick players finished the night in double digits, Luka Doncic nearly notched another triple-double, and the Mavericks came together to set the tone on defense early. Snapping a losing streak and stealing a win on the road all in the same night is a big momentum builder for a team like the Mavericks that hasn’t tasted as much success as they would have liked to. Dallas will play their next 7 games at home and this was the win the Mavericks needed to get back on course to contend in the Western Conference.
