NBA Friday Preview: Mavericks Vs Hawks

This Friday two of the NBA’s best teams will square off in an important pre-playoff test. The Atlanta Hawks will try to cement their status as a contender in the Eastern Conference against the new-look Dallas Mavericks.

Dallas Mavericks (37-21, 4^th in Western Conference) @ Atlanta Hawks (36-20, 4^th in Eastern Conference)

NBA odds: (*note lines are approximations as they have not been posted at the time of writing)

Spread: Atlanta -2

Total: 198

Money Line: Atlanta -145, Dallas + 115

Why Dallas will win

The Dallas Mavericks have won five straight games and appear to be much improved since trading Josh Howard and Drew Gooden away and getting Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler and DeShawn Stevenson in return. Howard tore his ACL right after the trade and the Mavs look like they made out like bandits. Haywood brings a defensive toughness at center that they have been lacking since Erick Dampier went down with an injury (Haywood is better than Dampier anyway). Butler sat out last night’s game versus the Lakers with an allergy attack but is the real deal. Dallas is led by F Dirk Nowitzki who put in 31 points in a 101- 96 win over top seeded Los Angeles Wednesday night. Dirk is averaging just less than 25 points and just over 7.5 rebounds a game this year. G Jason Terry will likely have less of a load to carry with Caron Butler on the team, however with Butler out against the Lakers with an allergic reaction to some medicine, Terry poured in 30 points on 10-20 shooting including four three-pointers (4-8).  Dallas now has the roster to matchup with the best in the league on a nightly basis and should be a team to watch of come playoff time.

Why Atlanta will win

The Hawks have surprised a lot of people this year with their strong play. The nucleus of G Joe Johnson,  F Josh Smith and C Al Horford has become one of the best in the league and each player matches up with their counterpart on Dallas very well. Horford is one of the best defensive centers in the game and Josh Smith is one of the best shot-blockers in the game. Dallas will have to rely on a perimeter game more often than not with those two on the court. Mike Bibby is often exposed by speedy point guards but Jason Kidd is at the same stage of his career as Bibby and is no speedster. Joe Johnson is probably the most underrated star in this league as he averages 21.7 points 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists a game at the two-guard spot. The revelation for the Hawks this year has been G Jamal Crawford who has made a strong case for sixth man of the year with clutch shots and 17.4 points a game off the bench with a just fewer than three rebounds and assists to go along with it. The Hawks are an exciting young team that can give Dallas fits.

5dimes review: Prediction

Coming off a big win versus the Lakers, it may be let down game for the Mavs against a tough Eastern Conference opponent. Atlanta is of the caliber of Dallas and will be able to sneak out a tough fought victory in Big D.

Sportsbook Review: Final: Atlanta 95 – Dallas 89. Take Atlanta and the under