PREVIEW
HAWKS (13-36) AT MAVS (29-19)
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: FSSW
Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM; Univision 1270 AM (Spanish)
About the Mavs: After losing on the road to the Houston Rockets on Friday night, 128-121, the Mavs have lost four of their last six games. . .This is the second night of a back-to-back for the Mavs, who are 4-3 in these scenarios. . .The Mavs are hopeful of turning things around at home, where they have only a 13-12 record. . .Luka Doncic missed the game against the Rockets with a sprained right ankle that he suffered during Thursday’s practice. Doncic will be sidelined until at least Feb. 10, according to Mavs coach Rick Carlisle. Named last week as a starter in next month’s All-Star game, Doncic averages 28.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg and 8.7 apg. . .Kristaps Porzingis stepped up and scored a season-high 35 points and added 12 rebounds in Friday’s game against Houston. It was his 14th double-double of the season. Porzingis attempted a season-high 13 free throws and made 10, also a season-best. . .J. J. Barea started in place of Doncic on Friday and finished with 11 points, five rebounds and a season-high tying nine assists. Barea has 16 assists in the past two games. . .Following tonight’s game, the Mavs hit the road to play the Pacers in Indiana on Monday before coming back home to host Memphis on Wednesday.
About the Hawks: This has not been a great season at all for Atlanta. The Hawks are tied with the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers for the worst record in the Eastern Conference and for the second-worst record in the NBA, ahead of only the Golden State Warriors. They also have produced losing streaks this season of four games, a pair of three-gamers and a couple of 10-gamers. . .The Hawks’ plus/minus of -8.9 is the league’s worst. . .Atlanta comes in after Thursday’s impressive 127-117 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. In that game, Trae Young, who was named to the All-Star team on Thursday, was simply magnificent as he finished with 39 points, six rebounds, two steals and 10 of his career-high 18 assists in the first quarter. Young is third in the NBA in scoring (29.4 ppg) and second in assists (9.2 apg). . .This will be the final appearance in Dallas for former Mavs guard Vince Carter. The 43-year old is third all-time in games played with 1,523 – one more game than Dirk Nowitzki played. . .John Collins, who had 17 points and 20 rebounds against the Sixers, is averaging 19 ppg, 10.2 rpg and 1.8 bpg. . .Following tonight’s game, the Hawks return home to host the Boston Celtics on Monday.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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