The Dallas Mavericks have made the short journey from Miami to face off against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday evening. This is Dallas’ first trip to Atlanta since Luka Doncic produced his epic 73-point game last season in State Farm Arena. While there will be no Luka tonight due to his sprained wrist, expect some fireworks regardless.
Dallas has won four out of its last five games, with the loss being last night’s heartbreaker against the Heat. Atlanta, meanwhile, has lost 6 of their last 10. However, the Mavs find themselves in a miserable situational spot tonight against the Hawks. This will the 18th game of the Mavericks’ season, and somehow it will be their eighth game at a rest disadvantage. That is the most in the NBA per Team Rankings.
Tough spot and all, this is still a game that Dallas can pull out. Let’s get into the handicap.
Game intangibles
Dallas Mavericks (9-8) vs Atlanta Hawks (7-10)
Tipoff time: 6:30p CT from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA
How to watch: NBA TV will have the national broadcast. KFAA Ch. 29 (or your local TEGNA affiliate) and Mavs TV will have the game here in Dallas-Fort Worth
Spread: Atlanta -3 (-105)
Over/Under: 236 (-112/-108)
Moneyline: Dallas (+124)
Player and game props
Dyson Daniels 3+ steals (+125)
Kyrie Irving over 27.5 points (-120)
Over 236 (-112)
I wrote up in my preview just how disruptive Dyson Daniels is as a defender. He’s the only player in the NBA averaging over 3 steals per game. I think Dyson will be a pest for the Mavericks guards, especially our guys coming off of the bench.
As for Kyrie, he’s put up a couple of stinkers without Doncic in the lineup. Last night in Miami, Irving was just 3/12 on his 3-pointers and missed a crucial free throw at the end of regulation. While he will draw Dyson Daniels, I expect Kyrie to be more aggressive early to get himself going.
If Dallas shows tired legs, Atlanta still has enough pop to score. I also don’t trust Atlanta to slow down this Maverick offense either.
Play of the day: Atlanta -3 (-105)
Unfortunately for our Mavs, they missed their chance to earn a split last night in Miami. Tonight’s game could be seen as a scheduled loss, given the back-to-back, 3rd game in 4 nights & significant rest disadvantages. Dallas will fight, but in the end, I think the gas tank will run empty before they can get this thing across the finish line. Hopefully I’m wrong!
