The sky stopped falling – for one night.
The Hawks snapped a three-game losing streak – thanks by a near-career night by Jeff Teague – in a 112-97 victory over the Mavericks Monday night at Philips Arena. It was also the second win the past seven games for the Hawks.
The Hawks (28-22) have won five straight against the Mavericks, including a sweep of the season series. After struggling offensively, the Hawks shot 53 percent from the field and led by as many as 17 points.
The Mavericks (28-23) had a two-game win streak snapped.
Here are the key players and five observations on the game:
Three key players
Jeff Teague: The Hawks point guard scored 32 points, two shy of his career high. He also had eight assists and five rebounds before leaving with four minutes remaining.
Kyle Korver: The Hawks shooting guard finished with 16 points, including four 3-pointers.
Dennis Schroder: The Hawks backup point guard finished with 14 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Five observations
1. Teague takeover
Teague killed the Mavericks. The Hawks point guard had his season-high 32 points on 12 of 15 shooting. He set a career-high with five 3-pointers. He scored 13 third-quarter points, including three 3-pointers, as the Hawks re-established a double-digit lead they lost late in the second quarter.
2. Korver gets going early
Korver shook off 1 of 9 shooting from 3-point range over the previous two games with a hot start from long range. He was 3 of 3 from 3-point range in the first quarter. His 3-pointer with 8:23 left in the first quarter was the first field goal for either team. At one point, his three of the Hawks’ five field goals were Korver 3-pointers.
3. Big run
The Hawks overcame a 2 of 9 shooting start with a big run to end the first quarter. They went on a 17-2 run and ended the period outscoring the Mavericks 21-6. The Hawks made 7 of 8 from the field to end the quarter. During the Hawks’ run, the Mavericks were a woeful 1 of 7 from the field with a turnover. While the Hawks shot 53 percent in the opening quarter, the Mavericks shot 21 percent. The Hawks led by as many as 12 points in the opening period and were up 27-15. The 15 points allowed were an opponent season low for the first quarter this season.
4. Another lapse
The Hawks picked up where they left off in the second quarter. They led by as many as 16 points, 47-31, in the quarter. The Mavericks answered with an 11-0 run and outscored the Hawks 15-6 to end the first half. Two Teague 3-pointers kept the Hawks with a seven-point edge, 53-46. Allowing an opposition a late rally to cut into a comfortable lead has been an issue this season for the Hawks and one that coach Mike Budenholzer has lamented several times. Two Hawks turnovers fueled the Mavericks’ run. The Hawks would recover with a strong second half.
5. Checking Nowitzki
The Hawks did a solid job on Dirk Nowitzki. He finished with 18 points, 10 from the free-throw line as the veteran baited the Hawks into several fouls. He was 4 of 11 from the field. Nowitzki finished the first half with 12 points, eight coming from the free-throw line.
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