--Defense is what got the Hawks through against the Mavericks. Atlanta managed to hold the usually high-powered Mavericks to just 35 points in the second half. "We really felt like that was the turning point for us," Hawks coach Mike Woodson. "Our defense was great all night. And we really went after them on the glass, which made a huge difference as well." The play of Marvin Williams (career-high 15 rebounds) also helped offset the Hawks' lack of size in the frontcourt.
--Winning in spite of their own putrid offensive effort is what made the victory all the more amazing.
The Hawks went through a stretch of nearly 11 minutes in the second and third quarters without a field goal, missing 20 consecutive shots before a Joe Johnson put-back pulled the Hawks within 48-45.
Once they got the lead, however, they took total control of the game.
"I guess that's the sign of a good team," Josh Smith said. "We couldn't buy a bucket at one point, but we still found a way to pull it together and finish."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I didn't know if we'd ever win one here, so it feels good to get it now." -- Hawks coach Mike Woodson, on his team finally winning in Dallas.
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