If the Mavericks are to win their fourth straight game, they'll have to do so against one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. Dallas is playing host to the 30-17 Atlanta Hakws tonight, who sit only two-and-a-half games behind the Miami Heat in the Southeast Division.
Atlanta is anchored by Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. Johnson is coming off a 34 point outburst against the New York Knicks in a 111-102 win. Johnson leads the Hawks in scoring, averaging 19.9 points per game. He also leads the team in assists per game, averaging 5.4.
Smith, who is the youngest player to reach 1,000 career blocked shots in NBA history, is also a big reason for Atlanta's success. He's averaged 16.1 points per game while blocking 1.83 shots per game and pulling down 8.9 rebounds per game.
Dallas, of course, will be looking for their fourth straight win. Superstar Dirk Nowitzki will look to break out of a recent funk. Nowitzki is shooting just 36% over his last five games, four of which have been Mavericks victories.
Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 EST. Coverage can be found on NBATV.