At the beginning of the day, it was uncertain whether the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks would play tonight due to the weather conditions in Atlanta that had large amounts of rain and snow. Philips Arena decided that the show had to happen. The Hawks fell into a deep hole in the first half but were able to regroup for a season sweep of the Mavericks.

The Mavericks opened up the game with an 11-3 lead over the Hawks. Atlanta was cold to start the game but cut the first quarter deficit to 15-11 after a few jumpers made by DeMarre Carroll. Dallas was quicker to the ball and helped build a double-digit lead. Mavs' guard Monta Ellis was warming up as he had eight points. Execution on offensive rebounds and at the three-point line helped propel the Mavs to a 14-point lead at one point. There was a delay in the game during the first quarter due to a leak from the ceiling at the Philips Arena.

The Hawks were finally able to trim the deficit to single digits in the second quarter with a basket by Dennis Schroder that made it 39-30 with nine minutes left in the half. Atlanta started to rally with back-to-back made shots by Paul Millsap that made it 41-34. The Hawks staged a 9-2 run. Atlanta then created a 14-4 run that cut the deficit to 43-39 after a layup by Jeff Teague. Dennis Schroder came alive in the second quarter, and the Hawks made the deficit 49-47 with 3:24 left off of a bucket by DeMarre Carroll. Schroder had 10 points and three assists at the half. He led all Hawks scorers for the game with 17 points off the bench and four assists. Dallas led, 53-47, at halftime. The Mavs were also without the services of Rajon Rondo due to conduct detrimental to the team. Chandler Parsons was out due to injury.

Atlanta dominated the second half. Jeff Teague cut the Dallas lead to 53-50 off of a three-point basket. It eventually led to Paul Millsap tying the game at 57 off of a three pointer. The Hawks finally took the lead off of a Kyle Korver three-point shot that put them up, 60-57. Atlanta gained the lead on a 13-4 run to start the period. From there, the Hawks would not give up the lead. All five starters scored in double-figures for Atlanta. The Hawks led, 77-68, after three quarters.

Al Horford had zero points at halftime but helped push the Hawks lead to 81-68 at the start of the fourth quarter. Atlanta started the quarter on a 12-0 run and built a 21-point lead at 89-68. They were able to earn their biggest lead of the game at 93-70 with eight minutes left in the quarter. They would go on to coast to a 17-point win.

The Hawks have now swept the season series 2-0 versus the Mavericks. They now stand at 45-12 and have an eight-game lead over the Toronto Raptors at first in the East. Atlanta will face the Magic on February 27th. The last time these two teams faced each other, Orlando earned a 100-99 win at home over Atlanta on a buzzer beater by Tobias Harris. The Mavericks are now 39-21 and fifth in the West. They will face the Nets in Brooklyn on February 28th.

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About the author
Yuriy  Andriyashchuk
20 and from Atlanta. A die hard Atlanta sports fan(Hawks,Falcons, Braves). Also a University of Nevada-Las Vegas journalism major. Huge fan of southern rap/hip hop.