Mavs vs. Bulls preview: Keeping momentum going is a trend to follow…
The Mavericks enter this game with a 4-3 record, which is fairly average, but they’ve avoided losing back-to-back games so far—a trend they hope to continue when they face the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday at the American Airlines Center.
In the early part of the season, the Mavericks have shown resilience by bouncing back after tough losses. They lost the opening game of their current five-game home stretch but responded with a dominant 108-85 win over the Orlando Magic. Earlier in the season, they followed a loss to Phoenix with a 110-102 home victory over Utah.
Now, after a rough 134-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday, the Mavericks will look to regain their footing at home, with the Bulls and the Phoenix Suns still on the schedule.
The Bulls will also be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 114-105 home loss to Utah, which gave the Jazz their first win of the season.
For the Mavericks, the key to avoiding another losing streak will be tightening up their defense. After their two previous losses, the Mavericks responded by limiting Utah to 102 points and Orlando to just 85—though the Magic were missing their star player, Paolo Banchero. Still, the defensive performance was strong.
Now, they’ll face a Chicago team known for its fast-paced offense and scoring potential, making it essential for Dallas to improve defensively after giving up 134 points and allowing the Pacers to shoot 57% from the field.
On a positive note, P.J. Washington has been a standout defensively, earning praise from head coach Jason Kidd. Washington has shown his versatility, guarding multiple positions and contributing significantly on the boards, including an 11-rebound game against the Pacers. Kidd also highlighted Washington’s defensive ambition, noting his goal of making an All-Defensive team this season.
Wednesday presents an ideal opportunity for the Mavericks to clamp down defensively, especially against a Bulls team that can be vulnerable to guard scoring. Utah’s Keyonte George and Collin Sexton combined for 57 points and 14 assists in Chicago’s loss, shooting a strong 10-of-19 from three-point range. This could bode well for Dallas’ guards, Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, who may see opportunities to exploit the Bulls’ defense.
Speaking of Luka, his shooting has been inconsistent early in the season, particularly finishing around the basket. However, he expressed confidence in his performance after Monday’s loss, stating, “I’ll get it, don’t worry. I’ve been feeling more and more comfortable every day.” Even with those struggles, he still scored 34 points in the loss to the Pacers.
Dallas swept the two meetings with Chicago last season and has won four of the last six home games against the Bulls. History suggests this game could be a decisive one, as seven of the last eight matchups between the two teams have been decided by at least nine points.
Chicago’s offense will be led by Nikola Vučević, one of the league’s top “five-out” centers, who is averaging 21.7 points and 10.8 rebounds. The Bulls are also getting significant production from Coby White (20.6 points) and Josh Giddey (14.7 points). However, Chicago’s top scorer, Zach LaVine (22.7 points per game), is listed as day-to-day, which could impact their offensive attack.
The Bulls boast one of the top “five-out” centers in Nikola Vučević, who is averaging 21.7 points and 10.8 rebounds. In addition to Vučević, Chicago is getting solid production from guard Coby White (20.6 points) and forward Josh Giddey (14.7 points). Giddey, a versatile Australian, was acquired from Oklahoma City in exchange for Alex Caruso. The Bulls’ leading scorer, Zach LaVine, who is averaging 22.7 points, is listed as day-to-day due to a hip injury.
The Mavericks’ first-quarter struggles are becoming a growing concern. They’ve been outscored in the opening 12 minutes of five out of their first seven games, posting a 2-3 record in those situations. On average, they’re being outscored 27.9 to 25.6 in the first quarter.
