Nowitzki, Mavs Cruise Past Hawks In Opener
Dallas 115, Altanta 98
ATLANTA GA, November 2 (AP) The Atlanta Hawks were excited to play Dallas on thier season opener to set the tone of a potential year with Play-Off appearence. The Hawks' last season record was 30-52. They haven't been to the Play-Offs since 1999.
Back to reality, the Mavericks had their own plans on the opening night, as they crushed the Hawks 115 to 98 at Philips Arena.
The Mavs wanted to set the tone early, as reigning MVP
Dirk Nowitzki drove to the basket for a layup in traffic plus the foul in the Mavs' very first possesion.
The Hawks managed to tie the game for the first time at the score of 11 each.
With 5:05 remaining in the first, the Hawks substituted in
LaMarcus Aldridge.
Aldridge was traded to Hakws three days ago, as they sent
Zaza Pachulia to the Trailblazers.
30 seconds later
Aldridge got his first two points as a Hawk on the free-throw line off an
Erick Dampier shooting foul.
The Hawks were able to get in front via a 13-5 run and the Mavs were forced to take their first time out at the score of 17-12 in favor of Atlanta.
The first quarter ended 28-26, Mavs. Although Dallas held the lead after first, the Hawks shot the ball better, 57% from the field to 47% by the Mavericks.
The second quarter started with a bomb, as
Solomon Jones got the ball from
Joe Johnson after setting a pick, and finished with a tomahawk jam over
Dampier.
The Dallas Mavericks managed to hold on a small lead at half time, 54-47.
Jason „The Jet“ Terry was the best man for them at the half, he had 16 points and 5 assists, while
Dirk Nowitzki had 13. Newly acquired
Jason Kidd only had 2 points but dished out 5 assists.
For the Hawks
Johnson and
Aldridge had 9 points each.
From the start of the 3rd qaurter, started to get hard for Atlanta.
It was only a metter of time until the Mavs would ran away.
They did so late in the 3rd as they were able to get their first double-digit lead of the night at the score off 77-67.
The Hawks failed miserably in the last qaurter. Led by
Joe Johnson they made a little push, but it seemed that everything was immediatly countered by Dallas.
Dallas led by as many as 21 and finished up the Hawks in the 4th.
Dirk Nowitzki was named Player Of The Game. He had 33 points and 8 rebounds.
Joe Johnson led all Hawks' scores with 24. He also dished out 8 assists.
Rookie
Al Horford had a double-double in his first NBA game with 10 and 10.
The Hawks will face another tough team next, as they will fly to Detroit to take on the Pistons.
Jordan™ Player Of The Game
Dirk Nowitzki 33 Points, 13-27 FG, 8 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 4 Blocks
Subway™ Sub Of The Game
LaMarcus Aldridge 15 Points, 2 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 1 Steal
