Hawks charge past short-handed Mavericks 104-87

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks took the lead with a 13-0 run in the third quarter and went on to a 104-87 victory Wednesday night over the Dallas Mavericks, who were without suspended guard Rajon Rondo.

The Mavericks suspended Rondo before the game for conduct detrimental to the team. Rondo had a heated exchange on the court with coach Rick Carlisle in the third quarter of Tuesday night's win over Toronto.

Carlisle said the one-game suspension was an ''organizational decision'' and said Rondo will start in the Mavericks' next game against Brooklyn on Saturday.

Dennis Schroder had 17 points off the bench to lead six Atlanta players in double figures. The Eastern Conference-leading Hawks have won two straight after losing four of seven.

Monta Ellis led Dallas with 19 points.

Rondo's suspension left the Mavericks with only 11 players. Center Tyson Chandler (hip contusion) and forward Chandler Parsons (left ankle) were held out with injuries. Forward Amare Stoudemire was rested with the team playing on back-to-back days.

Dallas led by 14 points, the last time at 39-25, in the second quarter.

The Mavericks led 57-53 early in the second half before the Hawks took the lead with their 13-0 run, which included seven points from Paul Millsap.

The Hawks led 77-68 after three quarters and then stretched the lead by scoring the first 12 points of the final period. Dennis Schroder and Kyle Korver hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cap the run for an 89-68 lead.

There was some confusion about the status of the game as rumors circulated Wednesday afternoon that a winter storm in north Georgia would force a postponement. Carlisle said much of the Mavericks' equipment was packed and loaded after the Hawks sent employees home. Then, the NBA decided the game would be played.

As of game time, the only accumulations of frozen precipitation were north of Atlanta but rain caused a leak in the Philips Arena roof that delayed the game about 5 minutes in the first quarter. Game clock malfunctions caused three more short delays in the opening period.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Jose Barea started for Rondo and scored 13 points with seven assists. ... Carlisle said he didn't know if Stoudemire will need rest in future back-to-back games. Carlisle said he hopes Chandler returns against Brooklyn on Saturday. ... Parsons was not with the team. ... Nowitzki attempted only two shots in the first half and finished with only four points.

Hawks: Guard Jeff Teague started and scored 11 points after missing Tuesday's practice with an illness. ... Korver had 16 points and Millsap had 15. .. Schroder also led Atlanta with 22 points in a 105-102 win at Dallas on Dec. 22. ... The Hawks are 5-4, including two straight wins, since setting a franchise record with 19 straight wins.

UP NEXT

Mavericks: Host Nets on Saturday.

Hawks: Host Magic on Friday.