Lavine Leads Bulls to Win Over Mavericks
Lavine Leads Bulls to Win over Mavericks (Chicago, IL) – Coming into this game against the Dallas Mavericks (2-3), the Bulls (2-4) looked to bounce back from their loss Friday against the Bucks. Chicago struggled defending the three-point line against Milwaukee, so that needed to be an area of focus against the Mavs.
All-Star guard and fan favorite Luka Doncic did not play in this game, but Dallas still had capable players at their disposal. The Mavs have six players on their team averaging at least 7 points a game, with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Richardson being their leading scorers after Doncic.
Lavine, Brunson headline first half
Zach Lavine and Jalen Brunson both set career highs in scoring for a quarter during the 1st. They had 21 and 12 points respectively. There were also four ties and two changes in the period, with the score being 31-31 going into the 2nd.
The 2nd quarter included a 7-0 run for the Bulls to make it 47-42 with 7 minutes left. Dallas responded right back with an 8-0 run to make it 50-47 shortly after. Lavine also continued his hot streak for the Bulls. His 29 first-half points were the most for Chicago since Jordan in 1997. Dallas led 60-59 going into the 2nd half, behind Brunson’s 18 points and 4 assists.
Defense, supporting cast gives Bulls lead in 3rd
The Bulls made a defensive stand in the 3rd quarter, as they held the Mavs to only 21 points. Lavine also received some help, as 20 of the Bulls 27 points in the quarter came from other teammates. Chicago closed out the quarter on a 7-0 run, to lead 86-81 going into the 4th.
Bulls close out Mavs
The Bulls had their largest lead of the game at 100-91 in the 4th. The Mavericks cut the lead down to 106-104 with 3.5 minutes left. Lavine then hit two free throws and had an assist to Otto Porter for a layup to give the Bulls a 110-104 lead. The Bulls held on from that point forward, as they won 118-108. A big key in this game was three-point defense, which Chicago did well with as Dallas shot 11/42 from three.
Lavine led the Bulls with 39 points, but it was Coby White’s 21 points in the second half that lifted the Bulls over the Mavs. Porter also chipped in with 15 points and 7 rebounds.
Brunson led Dallas with 31 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Richardson added 16 points and 4 rebounds.
Up Next
Dallas (2-4) will have a quick turnaround in their schedule, as they play James Harden and the Rockets (2-2) in Houston tomorrow at 7pm CT.
The Bulls (3-4) will start their three-game road trip against Damian Lillard and the Blazers (3-3) in Portland on Tuesday, at 9:30pm CT.
Lavine Leads Bulls to Win Over Mavericks
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