The Hawks are flying high this season, especially at home in Philips Arena where they are 22-6. Atlanta will pick up its 23rd triumph at home on Friday vs. the Mavericks.
The Atlanta Hawks play host to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night with tip-off set for 7:05 p.m. (ET) from Philips Arena.
The Hawks recently returned home from a road swing that saw them go 2-2 straight up with their big win in Utah securing a .500 trip. Last Wednesday night they defeated the Timberwolves, 98-92, which marked their 22nd win at home in 28 tries.
The Mavericks enter tonight’s game after defeating the LA Lakers at home in what had to be a very physical and emotionally draining win. They held on for the 101-96 victory, but the game saw a total of 24 lead changes giving the Mavs their fifth straight win.
Prior to that win Dallas was struggling, losing six of its previous eight games, and one has to wonder if the Mavericks will be flat after what seemed like a postseason contest versus the best team in the West in the Lakers.
The Mavericks have had a hard time against this Hawks team, losing the first meeting of the season at home, 80-75, and dropping their last two visits to Atlanta. One key component in those wins has been the fact the Hawks have been successful in slowing the offense of the Mavericks, allowing them an average of 90.5 points per game compared to their season average of 100.7 points per game.
Dallas is only 2-5 ATS its last seven when revenging a home loss. Dallas is just 2-5 ATS the last seven versus teams from the Eastern Conference and 2-7 ATS in the last nine versus teams from the Southeast.
Dallas has been one of those teams that normally gets out of the gate fast but fades late and the Mavericks' ATS record versus winning teams during the second half of the season certainly supports that point as they are a miserable 28-40 ATS in this situation over the last three seasons.
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The Hawks have found ATS success when facing teams from the Southwest, posting a record of 4-1 ATS their last five games. Atlanta has been solid in the role of favorite going 26-16 ATS and also protecting its home floor with a record of 18-10 ATS the last 28 home affairs.
With our TPR Index favoring the Hawks at home by 5.5 points, also receiving significant technical and situational support, we will back them here as they continue their recent dominance over the Mavericks on Friday night in Atlanta.
Projected Final Score: Atlanta-96 Dallas-89
Free Pick: Hawks -3½ (-110)