Mavs at Hawks Preview: Can Dallas Stop Bleeding in Final Road Game?
For a season that seems unsalvageable, the Dallas Mavericks have a small chance for redemption. Can they get the job done in their final road game of the season against the high-scoring Atlanta Hawks?
Dallas is 3-7 in its last 10 contests. Without the defensive combination of Maxi Kleber and former Dallas forward Dorian Finney-Smith, the Mavs resemble safety cones in a shooting drill. It doesn't matter if Luka Doncic scores 42 points with Tim Hardaway chipping in with 31 as they did vs. the Miami Heat on Saturday night; if they can't defend, their woes will continue.
In their previous 10 games, the Mavs recorded a 118.1 defensive rating, ranking them 21st in the league. The Mavs don't have to worry about playing defense in the playoffs if they don’t make it there.
Going 4-6 in their last 10 games, the Atlanta Hawks haven't performed to their expectations this season either. Even with a coaching change midseason, Atlanta also needs roster retooling. The Hawks appear to be a lock for a play-in spot in the East.
Will Dallas win its last road game of the season or continue to disappoint? Recent events point to the latter, but perhaps the possibility of finishing the season with a losing record will motivate the Mavs.
Mavericks vs. Hawks Injury Report
Dallas Mavericks
- Frank Ntilikina (QUESTIONABLE - knee)
Atlanta Hawks
- De'Andre Hunter (OUT - knee)
RECORDS: Dallas Mavericks (37-41), Atlanta Hawks (38-39)
WHERE: State Farm Arena (Atlanta, GA)
WHEN: Sunday, April 2, 2023, 5:00 p.m. CT
TV: NBA TV, Bally Sports Southwest
RADIO: 97.1 The Freak
ODDS: The Hawks are favored over the Mavs by three points.
NEXT UP: The Mavs play the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, April 5.
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