GDT: Hawks (13-9) @ Mavs (13-9) 8:30PM CST

[BPo001]

The Atlanta Hawks looked very much like the team that won 60 games a season ago over a 7-1 start, but things have since gone south as they find themselves falling into the middle of the Southeast Division's logjam.

Consecutive wins have even been too much to ask for since a seven-game winning streak, though that can change Wednesday night as the visiting Hawks try for a fourth straight victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Atlanta is 6-8 since that winning streak and has traded wins and losses for the last 10 games. The latest was a 100-87 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday to conclude a 2-1 homestand, and it was followed by four days off before back-to-back road games against Dallas and Oklahoma City.

The Hawks (13-9) shot 50.0 percent with Al Horford's 16 points leading the way, but he's shooting 43.5 percent in his last nine games. In true Atlanta fashion, Mike Budenholzer's team had five players with at least 13 points, though he's certainly not yet raving about the Hawks' play.

"It's a win, and we've got a few days now where we can work to get better," Budenholzer said.

One of the areas they'd like to improve is defending the 3-pointer. The Hawks' last 10 opponents have shot 40.0 percent and the Lakers made 13 of 27. The Mavericks, meanwhile, have hit 29 of 62 in their last two games.

Dallas (13-9) is coming off Monday's 104-97 win in New York after Sunday's 116-104 victory in Washington, and it can now look forward to staying put at home for a little while. The Mavericks' three-game homestand is their first stay of at least two games since Nov. 11-13.

"It's been tough traveling-wise. We've been all over the shop, and we're looking forward to settling down at home a little bit," Dirk Nowitzki told the team's official website. "But with going home, that sometimes brings some relaxation that you don't want. I think, over the years, we dropped some games at home that we shouldn't have lost, so we've got to keep that edge from the road somehow and just keep competing. Finally, we're home longer than a couple of days."

Nowitzki didn't show any signs of wear with 25 points against the Knicks. He's averaging 22.0 in his last four, and it's helped Dallas maintain as it's worked through the hectic schedule and health issues.

Chandler Parsons is still limited because of offseason knee surgery, and J.J. Barea has missed six straight games with a sprained ankle. Devin Harris sat out Monday because of a rib injury, but coach Rick Carlisle sees things beginning to steady.

"I'm encouraged that our health situation seems to be trending the right direction, even though Harris missed most of the games (Sunday and Monday)," Carlisle said. "You know, he's going to be OK. Barea is doing a little bit better, and Parsons is feeling a lot better and playing better, so we've got to stay the course.

"(JaVale) McGee is another guy that played some important minutes in the first half (against New York), so this was a long process when we set out at the beginning of the year. You know, we knew it was going to be well into December before we were anywhere close to being fully healthy, and we're making strides."

Dallas has won five of its last six at home, while Atlanta has dropped five of six on the road.

[dirt_dobber]

nice test tonight at home. Got to beat these guys.

[EricaLubarsky]

Hawks are talented but inconsistent-- just like us. Same exact record, too.

I could see this game going multiple ways. I foresee a small win (+4)

[Underdog]

Defend your house, Mavs.

[Vinsanity]

Would be sweet to get a quality win tonight. I wanna see a breakout game from Parsons

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Vinsanity

Would be sweet to get a quality win tonight. I wanna see a breakout game from Parsons

Parsons is going to be alright. I wanna see another good game for Matthews so he can start building his confidence.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Vinsanity

Would be sweet to get a quality win tonight. I wanna see a breakout game from Parsons

Agree on both accounts.
We've only had one quality win as far as I'm concerned and that was Clips.

Parsons really needs to become one of our best players (if not the best) for us to have any kind of chance this season. He has confidence and leadership qualities that we will desperately need in the POs if we get there.
Also, if he doesn't pan out as a star on this team it will really screw up the long-term plan.

[CGM]

After six friggin’ games out, JJB returns to the lineup... instantaneously, he becomes the blue elf that brings more winning presents to a Mavs' team that will make the Hoks Victim # 3 in this Eastern Conference winning streak....

Mavs - 108
Hoks – 100

[CGM]

Double post... sorry!

[Julius]

lethalweapon3 from hawksquawk is always a good read

http://hawksquawk.net/community/topi...-at-mavericks/

I love his gamethreads

[EricaLubarsky]

celts pulling away. Was really afraid they'd go OT as the Bulls love to do and we'd miss the first quarter

[yahyes]

Should be a good challenge

[yahyes]

Man, I think Dirk wants to score 41 tonight. He looks warmed up enough to to play 30 plus minutes tonight.

[Bryan_Wilson]

Missing a lot of good looks... again.

[EricaLubarsky]

another game where rebounding is keeping a team in it.

Still, we are going to win by 4 as I predicted

[Oberon]

Man it's painful to watch us missing so many shots. At least we do a good job at rebounding, second chance points allow us to stay in the game.

[Bryan_Wilson]

Zaza might be looking at a pretty good pay raise next year with how he has been this year.

[yahyes]

They need to wake up at the most important time

[Oberon]

Another bad quarter finishing

[EricaLubarsky]

5-1 run

[Bryan_Wilson]

I know RC likes the 2 pg lineup and all but when JJ and DH come in this season I just expect to be on the wrong side of runs.

[EricaLubarsky]

Well we pulled a 4 pt lead in the 3rd and lost it, overall, though, we still trimmed the halftime lead down one.

[EricaLubarsky]

7-1 run

[yahyes]

Someone else has gotta feel it

[EricaLubarsky]

12-2 run

Mavs are inconsistent while they learn and 12-2 is a symptom

[Robillion]

Was there any reason at all why Powell shouldn't have dunked that allyoop attempt? Makes zero sense.

[EricaLubarsky]

We're still winning by 4

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I am getting a bit concerned that Matthews will never be the same player offensively again. His defense is great, but the team can't afford for him and Parsons to provide zilch offensively for too long.

[yahyes]

This is a grind it kind of game that the Mavs can surpass, if they out run then on offense. Towards the end.

[Oberon]

We are missing so many open shots & easy layups, it's incredible.

[Oberon]

We actually play solid defense, now if we make our shots we'll win.

[Underdog]

Dammit.

[howdoesmydirktaste]

Matthews did not foul at the end.

[yahyes]

Deron is almost there.

[Dan1]

We deserved it. This shooting performance deserves it.

[JTmoney2424]

Rick Carlisle needs to seriously stop burning all his timeouts so early. Idiotic use of them in the 4th quarter. Would of been nice to have one at the end to actually set up a play.

Ps: bull shit call on Wes at the end. He never even touched Teague.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Gotta close out games like this one...esp at home. Def the most frustrating loss of the season so far.

[AO41]

I have never seen a team like the Mavs when it comes to missing out on chances to solidly their spot in the standings ir to move up. They always find a way to lose these type of games ..every year

[Oberon]

Such an annoying loss. Totally unnecessary. Atlanta didn't even play well. Unfortunately Dirk had one of his worst games of the season so far.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Such an annoying loss. Totally unnecessary. Atlanta didn't even play well. Unfortunately Dirk had one of his worst games of the season so far.

But the team can't keep relying on him every night. And he still has more good games than bad ones.

Wes Matthews on the other hand has almost no lift whatsoever on his three point shots. I don't know if that is how they are or he is out of shape or worried about re-injurying himself.