It’s rare that a team gets four days off in between games during the season, but the Hawks experienced a mini-break before their game with the Mavericks.
They should be well rested when they take on the Mavs, who just ended a stretch where they played 10 of their previous 13 on the road.
SCHEDULING
A quirk in the schedule has the Hawks enjoying four days off between games following their defeat of the Lakers on Friday. They should be well rested before facing the Mavs in the first of a back-to-back set that has them playing in Oklahoma City on Thursday. It’s been an up and down stretch for the Hawks, alternating wins and losses over their past 10 games with just a 1-4 SU and ATS record on the road in that span.
The Mavericks will finally enjoy being at home after ending a long, taxing road stretch where they played 10 of 13 games away from the American Airlines Center. During that time the Mavs did not play consecutive home games and logged some serious miles, going from the Pacific Northwest across the country to the East Coast with several stops in between. Dallas has been a good wager this season going 13-8 ATS overall and 5-3 ATS at home. The Mavs’ three-game homestand includes matchups with Washington and Phoenix, teams they’ve already beaten on the road, following the Hawks.
INJURIES
Hawks’ forward Tiago Splitter is recovering from a hip injury that sidelined him for the past seven games and could return to the lineup when the Hawks visit Dallas.
There is still no timetable for the return of J.J. Barea to the Mavericks lineup. He’s been out of action two weeks with a right ankle sprain.
Chandler Parsons did not play Sunday in the second of a back-to-back as coach Rick Carlisle elected to rest his power forward. Parsons remains on a strict limit of 25 minutes as he continues the gradual process of recovering from hybrid microfracture surgery on his right knee.
KEY MATCHUP
The Hawks paid big to keep Paul Millsap. The early returns show that the power forward has been worth every penny. After signing a three-year deal in the offseason, Millsap clearly has been the Hawks best player even as they struggle through an inconsistent first quarter of the season. Through the first 22 games, he leads the team in scoring at 18.2 per game, rebounding with 9.5, steals with 1.91 and minutes played. He ranks second only to the team’s two point guards in assists. In other words, he’s done it all. Millsap scored in double figures in 21 of the first 22 games. He had 10 double-doubles, including five 20-point, 10-rebound games. Through the weekend, Millsap is the only player in the league averaging at least 18 points, nine rebound, three assists, one steal and one block per game. He made a commitment to help the Hawks rebounding, which has been inadequate, according to coach Mike Budenholzer. Over the past 10 games, he had 102 boards, including 40 on the offensive glass. Rebounding continues to be a sore spot for the Mavs, who are getting beat by 2.5 boards per game, and Millsap could have a big game on the glass.
ODDS AND PREDICTION
If Atlanta continues its recent trend of alternating wins and losses, this game ends up in the L column for them. The Hawks have done that over their last 10 and haven’t been able to gain any traction in the congested Southwest Division. One thing that makes the Hawks so dangerous, and what was a big part of their success last season, is their balance. Six players average double figures in scoring and only one plays better than 32 minutes per game. Atlanta will benefit from spreading the minutes around as long as they don’t get wrecked by injuries. The Hawks had a mini-vacation before taking on the Mavs while Dallas finished off a grueling stretch with 10 of their past 13 games on the road. Look for the Hawks to take advantage before the Mavericks can unpack their bags.
Atlanta 103, Dallas 100
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