The 2023-24 NBA season continues to roll right along on Friday night as there are some big matchups across the league. One of the top games of the night will take place in Atlanta as the Hawks are set to host the Dallas Mavericks.
Dallas comes into this game searching for answers as they have dropped four of their last five contests to fall to 24-20 on the year. The Mavericks are still in a playoff position in the Western Conference, but they need to turn things around.
Atlanta is another team that is struggling as they have dropped three straight games ahead of this game. The Hawks are sitting at just 18-26 on the year, and they are not in a playoff position in the East.
The Mavericks are slim 1.5-point betting favorites on the road against the Atlanta Hawks in what should be a battle.
Doncic Needs Help in Dallas
Luka Doncic has been doing all that he can to put his Mavericks team in a position to win, but at some point he is going to need some help. Doncic is scoring 33.6 points per game this season, while also leading the team in both rebounding and assists.
Kyrie Irving is supposed to be the player that provides Doncic with some help, but he is a gametime decision for this game. Dallas is going to have to shoot the ball well in this game as they tend to attack opponents on the perimeter.
The Mavericks have allowed at least 118 points in five straight games, and that is another trend that needs to improve. Dallas is never going to be a great defensive team, but at some point they have to be solid.
Hawks Dealing With Injuries
This Atlanta Hawks team has been dealing with adversity all season long and they could have up to as many as five players missing this game. Atlanta will need to find a way to slow down the pace in this game, but that’s not usually how they want to play.
Trae Young is a gametime decision on Friday night, but he is leading this team with 26.9 points and 10.8 assists per game. Young should have some success if he is on the floor, but that’s a big question mark.
Atlanta is not a team with a ton of size, and getting stops in the paint is one area where they have struggled all season long.
Mavericks Get Back on Track
This is a battle of two teams that are desperate for a win, but Dallas has clearly been the better overall team this season. Dallas is going to have their star player on the floor, and Doncic is going to deliver for his team.
It feels like a lost season for the Atlanta Hawks, and they are a team that just can’t seem to find any answers on either end of the floor. Look for those struggles to continue in this game as the Mavericks pick up a solid road win.
