Atlanta HawksOpen full analysis
Dallas MavericksOpen full analysis
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Dallas Mavericks 135–120 on March 18 at the American Airlines Center, surpassing the Vegas total of 239.5 points combined. Atlanta's balanced attack was led by CJ McCollum and Nicolas Alexander-Walker with 24 and 22 points respectively, while the Hawks shot 53.9 percent from the field and connected on 14 three-pointers to establish control. Dallas countered with Derrick Gafford and P. Washington combining for 47 points, but the Mavericks' 48.8 percent shooting and 11 threes proved insufficient against Atlanta's superior ball movement—the Hawks dished 36 assists compared to Dallas's 26. The decisive factor emerged early: Atlanta's 37-point first quarter set the tone, and the Hawks maintained that offensive edge throughout, outscoring the Mavericks in three of four quarters while forcing Dallas into 18 turnovers. Atlanta's defensive rating of 113.5 held Dallas to just 120 points despite the Mavericks' late-quarter surge of 38 points in the fourth. The Hawks' road victory strengthens their playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.
