GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NBA: DALLAS (1-0) at ATLANTA (0-0)

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 DALLAS 4
ATLANTA 6 8:54 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 10
ATLANTA 10 6:12 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 14
ATLANTA 21 2:42 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 19
ATLANTA 29 END, 1ST QTR</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 DALLAS 23
ATLANTA 32 8:59 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 28
ATLANTA 41 5:42 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 35
ATLANTA 43 2:54 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 39
ATLANTA 46 HALFTIME</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 DALLAS 46
ATLANTA 54 8:24 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 57
ATLANTA 58 5:44 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 61
ATLANTA 64 2:53 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 69
ATLANTA 68 END, 3RD QTR</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>

 

NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 75
ATLANTA 76 8:58 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 79
ATLANTA 82 6:03 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NBA: DALLAS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA DALLAS 88
ATLANTA 89 3:00 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>