Mavericks vs. Hawks NBA expert prediction and odds for Friday, Jan. 26 (Dallas continues to crush bad teams)

The Dallas Mavericks currently hold the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference by two games over the Lakers and Jazz and will look to snap a three-game losing streak Friday night in a quick trip to Atlanta before heading home. Dallas, who has lost five of its last seven games, are coming off a 132-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Atlanta is also on a three-game losing streak after coming up short by double figures on the west coast to Sacramento (122-107) and Golden State (134-112). The Hawks are also dealing with an injury to their star point guard as Trae Young has been out the last two games and carries a questionable tag into Friday’s matchup. 

Here’s a betting preview for Friday’s matchup with a best bet. 

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Mavericks vs. Hawks odds, spread and total

Mavericks vs. Hawks how to watch

• Date: Friday, Jan. 26
• Game time: 7 p.m. EST
• Venue: State Farm Arena
• How to watch (TV): NBA TV
• Mavericks record: 24-20
• Hawks record: 18-26

Mavericks vs. Hawks injury reports

Dallas Mavericks injury report

• Dwight Powell (eye): out
• Kyrie Irving (thumb): questionable
• Maxi Kleber (toe): probable

Atlanta Hawks injury report

• Wesley Matthews (calf): out
• Vit Krejci (shoulder): out
• De’Andre Hunter (knee): out
• Clint Capela (calf): questionable
• Trae Young (concussion): questionable
• Bruno Fernando (back): questionable

Mavericks vs. Hawks key players to watch

Mavericks

Tim Hardaway Jr.: The 31-year-old wing is averaging 18.1 points per game this season, which is his highest scoring output in his five-plus seasons with the Mavericks and highest since 2019, when he was with the New York Knicks. Primarily coming off the bench, Hardaway is averaging 24.3 points over the last six games. With Irving sidelined on Wednesday against Phoenix, Hardaway was the only Maverick besides Luka Doncic (34 points) to score in double figures, pouring in 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting and hitting four 3-pointers. 

Hawks

Dejounte Murray: Despite his name coming up in several trade rumors, Murray is still in Atlanta and putting up big numbers. The 27-year-old guard is averaging a career-high 21.4 points per game in his second season with the Hawks and has a pair of double-doubles over the last four games. Over Atlanta’s two-game west coast road trip, he had 58 points (18-of-42 shooting), went 8-of-17 from beyond the arc, 17 rebounds and 13 assists. 

Mavericks vs. Hawks prediction and pick

Dallas is eighth in the NBA in scoring at 118.1 points per game, but has struggled offensively over its three-game skid, scoring 110 points or less in each contest. Obviously, having Irving out hampers an offense anchored by its strong backcourt, and the Mavericks haven’t received much scoring help to compliment Doncic’s pair of triple-doubles during the losing streak.

The struggling Dallas offense gets some reprieve on Friday, though, with the possibility of Irving’s return from a thumb injury and a matchup with the Hawks, who rank 26th in the NBA in defensive rating (119.3) and 28th in scoring defense (122.7 points per game). 

Atlanta is built on offense, too, but have averaged just 104.6 points over its last three games with Young sidelined. Dallas is 14-4 against teams with a losing record this season and Atlanta is just 1-5 ATS as a home underdog this season. Bet the Mavericks to cover the short number at State Farm Arena. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.