Atlanta Hawks vs Dallas Mavericks Match Player Stats On Oct 18, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Oct 18, 2017

DALLAS -- Dennis Schroder scored 28 points to lead the Atlanta Hawks past the Dallas Mavericks 117-111 on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams at American Airlines Center.

Marco Belinelli and John Collins combined to add 34 points off the bench as the Hawks extended their winning streak to eight against Dallas.

With the score tied at 111-111, Dewayne Dedmon gave Atlanta the lead for good with a rebound and put-back with 58 seconds to play. Taurean Prince (10 points and 10 rebounds) put the game away by sinking two free throws with 14 seconds remaining.

Schroder made 13 of 26 shots and dished out seven assists. Belinelli knocked down four 3-pointers on his way to 20 points. Collins shot 6 of 10 and pulled down five boards.

The loss didn't take away from a dazzling double-double debut by Mavericks rookie Dennis Smith Jr. The 19-year-old point guard looked like a veteran while running the offense, producing 16 points and 10 assists in his first NBA game.

The Mavs opened the game with an alley-oop slam by Smith. He went to the locker room with a slight limp in the second quarter shortly after being fouled on a dunk attempt, only to return to the bench quickly and start the third quarter.

Mavs reserve Nerlens Noel had 16 points and 11 rebounds backing up center Dirk Nowitzki, who shot only 4 of 14 and scored 10. Dallas' Harrison Barnes (14 points) also struggled from the floor, missing 10 of 13 shots.

Dallas shot 44.2 percent of its field-goal attempts, while the Hawks made 51.1 percent.

Wesley Matthews (15 points) gave the Mavs their first lead of the second half (69-68) after consecutive 3-pointers, both coming off passes from Smith. The teams were tied at 82 to start the fourth.

The Hawks went into the locker room in control after finishing the second period with a 14-2 run to lead 58-47. Schroder had 16 points at the break on 7-16 shooting, with Belinelli scoring 12.

The Mavericks return home Friday to face the Sacramento Kings. Atlanta's three-game road trip to open the season pulls into Charlotte on Friday.

NOTES: Mavericks PG Dennis Smith Jr. became the second youngest player in franchise history at 19 years, 10 months and 24 days. ... Dallas G Seth Curry (stress reaction, left tibia), F Josh McRoberts (lower extremity injury) and Hawks C Miles Plumlee (strained right quad) were out. ... The Mavericks played a video tribute to the American flag before the national anthem. ... Dallas is 21-17 all-time in season openers, and the Hawks are 22-28 since moving to Atlanta.