Mavericks vs. Hawks: Game 1 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (0-0) vs. Atlanta Hawks (0-0)
Wed. Oct. 18, 2017, 7:30 at the AAC
TV: FSSW, NBALP

2016-17 Meetings
Jan, 7 at Dallas: Hawks 97 Mavs 82
Mar. 1 at ATL: Hawks 100 Mavs 95
All-Time Series: Hawks 40 Mavs 32

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Dennis Smith Jr.
SG: Yogi Ferrell
SF: Wesley Matthews
PF: Harrison Barnes
C: Dirk Nowitzki
Hawks
PG: Dennis Schroder
SG: Kent Bazemore
SF: Taurean Prince
PF: Ersan Ilyasova
C: Dwayne Dedmon

Injuries: Seth Curry is out with a stress reaction in his left tibia.

2016-17 Team Stats
Mavs
Offensive Rating: 105.6 (25th)
Defensive Rating: 108.8 (15th)
Point Differential: -2.9
Hawls
Offensive Rating: 104.9 (27th)
Defensive Rating: 105.7 (4th)
Point Differential: -0.8

2016-17 Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Barnes, 19.2
RPG: Nowitzki, 6.5
APG: Matthews, 2.9
PER: Powell, 17.6
Hawks
PPG: Millsap, 18.1
RPG: Howard, 12.7
APG: Schroder, 6.3
PER: Howard, 20.8

Of Note

• The Mavs are 21-16 all-time in season openers and 12-8 in openers played at home. They last opened at home in 2013 also against Atlanta, a game the Mavs won 118-109.
• The Mavs haven't beaten Atlanta since that game, losing their 7 to the Hawks.
• Dennis Smith Jr. will make his much anticipated NBA debut after averaging 10.8 points and 4.0 assists in 21.2 minutes in 6 preseason games.
• Dirk needs to score 1,160 points this season to pass Wilt Chamberlain for fifth on the NBA career scoring list.
• The Hawks are undergoing a major rebuild after losing Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard this off-season. Expect Dennis Schroder to be the new go-to guy in Atlanta. Schroder scored 37 in the Hawks two wins over the Mavs last season.