NBA: DALLAS (1-0) at ATLANTA (0-0) <h3>Young Hawks face tough challenge against Nowitzki and Mavericks</h3> <div class="pre">Dallas (1-0) at Atlanta (0-0) 7:30 pm EDT</div> ATLANTA (Ticker) - Joe Johnson and the young Atlanta Hawks hostDirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in their season opener onFriday. Atlanta, which posted its best record in four seasons at 30-52,has a solid core of young players to build around. Johnson, who missed 57 games with a calf injury last season,averaged a career-high 25 points and is joined by third-yearforwards Josh Smith and Josh Childress, as well as second-yearforward Marvin Williams. In addition to that, the Hawks have first-round picks Al Horfordand Acie Law IV. Horford is expected to start right away, whileLaw will be in a reserve role. Atlanta hopes that adds up to its first playoff appearance ineight seasons. However, their first test of the season comes against a veteranteam that won 67 games a season ago and has its eyes on achampionship. The Mavericks were stunned last season by the Golden StateWarriors in the first round and desperately want toavenge that embarrassing loss. Nowitzki and company got the season off to a good start onWednesday as they held LeBron James to 10 points in a 92-74 winover Cleveland. Jason Terry scored 24 points and Nowitzki added15, with eight rebounds and six assists. Dallas has dominated the recent series, having won four straightand 13 of the last 16 meetings.
NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA <div class="pre">DALLAS AT ATLANTA - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS DALLAS ATLANTA F Jerry Stackhouse F Josh Smith F Dirk Nowitzki F Marvin Williams C DeSagana Diop C Al Horford G Eddie Jones G Anthony Johnson G Devin Harris G Joe Johnson OFFICIALS: Joe Forte Phil Robinson Derrick Collins</div>
NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA <div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- DALLAS 19 19 ATLANTA 29 29 END 1ST QTR HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER DAL - DEVIN HARRIS 10, BRANDON BASS 4, JASON TERRY 3 ATL - JOSH SMITH 9, AL HORFORD 6, JOE JOHNSON 5</div>
NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA <div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- DALLAS 19 20 39 ATLANTA 29 17 46 HALFTIME HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME DAL - DEVIN HARRIS 11, DIRK NOWITZKI 9, JASON TERRY 7 ATL - JOSH SMITH 13, JOE JOHNSON 10, ACIE LAW 6</div>
NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA <div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- DALLAS 19 20 30 69 ATLANTA 29 17 22 68 END 3RD QTR HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER DAL - DIRK NOWITZKI 20, JASON TERRY 15, DEVIN HARRIS 11 ATL - JOE JOHNSON 20, JOSH SMITH 13, MARVIN WILLIAMS 10</div>
