Young gunning Hawks hand Mavs first loss

ATLANTA – At some point, potential either comes of age or it dries up. It’s too early to say if the Hawks will realize their promise over 82 games, but the Mavericks sure got a taste of where this Atlanta franchise can go.

The Hawks took a big step in proving their NBA-best preseason record was for real by handing Dallas its first loss, 101-94, Friday night in Atlanta’s season opener at Philips Arena.

“If the Hawks sustain the type of energy they had in tonight’s game, I think they have a chance to be one of the eight teams [in the playoffs] this year," Jerry Stackhouse said.

The setback came two days after whipping the best team the Eastern Conference had to offer last season in Cleveland’s home opener. Dallas (1-1) looks to regroup in its first game at American Airlines Center this season Saturday night against Sacramento.

Though they don’t have much time to dwell on the loss, the Mavs returned home with plenty to think about.

“We had some key breakdowns in the fourth quarter when we didn’t get stops,” Jason Terry said. “That’s how we win games, regardless of how tough it is in the fourth quarter, but we didn’t get stops tonight.”