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Young Hawks face tough challenge against Nowitzki and Mavericks

Nov 2, 2007 - 1:17 PM Dallas (1-0) at Atlanta (0-0) 7:30 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) - Joe Johnson and the young Atlanta Hawks host Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in their season opener on Friday.

Atlanta, which posted its best record in four seasons at 30-52, has a solid core of young players to build around.

Johnson, who missed 57 games with a calf injury last season, averaged a career-high 25 points and is joined by third-year forwards Josh Smith and Josh Childress, as well as second-year forward Marvin Williams.

In addition to that, the Hawks have first-round picks Al Horford and Acie Law IV. Horford is expected to start right away, while Law will be in a reserve role.

Atlanta hopes that adds up to its first playoff appearance in eight seasons.

However, their first test of the season comes against a veteran team that won 67 games a season ago and has its eyes on a championship.

The Mavericks were stunned last season by the Golden State Warriors in the first round and desperately want to avenge that embarrassing loss.

Nowitzki and company got the season off to a good start on Wednesday as they held LeBron James to 10 points in a 92-74 win over Cleveland. Jason Terry scored 24 points and Nowitzki added 15, with eight rebounds and six assists.

Dallas has dominated the recent series, having won four straight and 13 of the last 16 meetings.