The Smoking Cuban
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Mavericks Head Back Home To Face Bulls

By Kohl Rast

Dec 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Nicolas Batum (5) looks to steal the ball from Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Nicolas Batum (5) looks to steal the ball from Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Mavericks are once again on a losing streak and once again without Dirk Nowitzki. Can they find a way to rebound against a tough Chicago Bulls team?

The Mavericks are pretty desperate for a win these days. As an avid Mavs fan for the last 15-20 years, it is tough for me to say that. But, as all good teams experience occasionally, losing does not always mean that a rebuild is looming.

That was made clearly evident during an interview with Mark Cuban a few weeks ago. Although the Mavs are sitting at a tough 3-15 record and the last place spot in the entire NBA, Cuban believes that things will turn around.

Most Mavericks fans have been happy to believe that when injuries settle down, the team will be in a good place again. Problem is, the injuries aren’t settling down. Dallas is once again without Dirk Nowitzki for tonight’s game, along with J.J. Barea and Seth Curry.

Dec 26, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) during the first quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) during the first quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

These injuries continue to take away some of the Mavs best scorers and that has hurt the team more than anything. The defense for Dallas continues to play well, but when points are needed (especially in crunch time), we don’t know where to go.

Tonight, the Dallas Mavericks face off against Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade, and the Chicago Bulls. It could probably be mentioned that Rajon Rondo plays for Chicago too, but there probably are still no more hated players in Mavs history than Rondo.

Along with the great season that Jimmy Butler is having, averaging over 25 points per game, the Bulls have also had great production from Taj Gibson. Gibson leads the team in rebounds with 8.3 per game, as well as 12.5 points and 1 block per game.

It will be tough for the Mavs to prepare for this Chicago team full of numerous scorers and weapons. Not to mention the fact that D-Wade hurts us every time we play him. The Mavericks are in for a tough fight against the Bulls, who just beat the Cavaliers last night.

For the Mavericks to give this game the best chance for a win, Wesley Matthews will probably need to come up big. Dwyane Wade is not a defensive mastermind, but Butler is. The Mavs will need Wes to shoulder some of the scoring load if we are going to be ready to compete all night tonight.

The Dallas Mavericks faceoff against the Chicago Bulls tonight in Dallas at 7:30 CT. As always, follow @TheSmokingCuban for live Twitter updates throughout the game. Let’s Go Mavs!

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