Hawks 106, Mavericks 89
HAWKS 106, MAVERICKS 89: Josh Smith collected 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as host Atlanta put six players in double figures and clinched home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Dallas will have to settle for the No. 7 seed in the West and will open on the road at the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jeff Teague chipped in 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting and Joe Johnson went for 15 on 7-of-11 as the Hawks shot 53 percent from the floor. Atlanta will be the No. 5 seed but still hosts fourth-seeded Boston by virtue of a better regular-season record.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 22 points to lead the Mavericks.
The Hawks were on fire from the start on Thursday, putting 38 points on the board in the first quarter and cruising into the half with a 60-44 edge.
The Mavericks made a small charge in the third quarter but opted for rest over going all-out for the win. Rodrigue Beaubois was the only starter to play more than 27 minutes and Dallas emptied the end of its bench in the fourth quarter, shelving the top reserves as well.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Hawks were able to give their key players plenty of rest as well, with Smith and Teague topping out at 28 minutes and Johnson lasting just 24. … Atlanta handed out 28 assists on 45 made field goals on Thursday.